UNITED STATES BUREAU OF EDUCATION 

BULLETIN. 1914. NO. 2 WHOLE NUMBER 573 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE 



I. Compulwry Attendance Laws in the United States, 
by W. S. Deffenbaugh 

II. Compulsoiy Attendance in Foreign Countries, hy 
Anna Tolman Smitb 

III. Compulsory E-ducation m Germany, by W. Carson 
Ryan, Jr, 

!V. The Need of Compulsoiy Education in the South, 
by WiUiam H. Hand 

V. Laws of Ohio and of Massachusetts Relating to 
Compulsory Attendance and Child Labor 

VI. Bibliography 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING omCE 

1914 

Monograph 



UNITED STATES BUREAU OF EDUCATION 

BULLETIN. 1914, NO. 2 WHOLE NUMBER 573 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE 



I. Compulsory Attendance Laws in the United States, 

by W. S. Deffenbaugh * ' / 

II. Compulsory Attendance in Foreign Countries, by 
Anna Tolman Smith 

III. Compulsory Education in Germany, by W. Carson 

Ryan, Jr. J 

IV. The Need of Compulsory Education in the South, 

by William H. Hand 1 

V. Laws of Ohio and of Massachusetts Relating to 
Compulsory Attendance and Child Labor 

VI. Bibliography 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1914 



V • 



ADDITIONAL, COPIES of this publication 
-Ou may be procured froni the Sxjpeeintend- 
KNT OP DoCTXMENTS, Govermnent Printing 
Office, Waaiiington, D .C, at 15 cents per copy 




D. OF D. 



m 



4- 



J^ 



CONTENTS 



Page. 

Letter of transmittal 5 

I. Compulsory-attendance laws in the United States 7 

Opposition to compulsory-education laws 10 

Enrollment 12 

School census 12 

The immigrant 14 

Children with employment certificates 15 

Transferring to and from private schools 15 

Poverty 16 

Securing regular attendance 17 

Reporting absentees 18 

Truants 19 

Officers 20 

Age 23 

Penalties 23 

Annual period of attendance 23 

Child labor — conclusion 24 

Table showing proportion of children 6 to 14 years of age attending 

school 25 

Table showing school attendance in 1910-11 26 

Table showing compulsory attendance in the United States — Ages, 

period required, exemptions, etc 28 

Table showing compulsory attendance — Officers, parental schools, pen- 
alties, etc 38 

Table showing child labor — Employments prohibited, hours of labor, 

certificates, penalties, etc 56 

II. Compulsory attendance in foreign countries 78 

Influences leading to compulsory school-attendance laws 78 

Attendance laws in England 78 

Scotland — Ireland 80 

France ' 81 

Switzerland 82 

Action of local committees in other countries 83 

Results of compulsion 84 

Table showing population and em'oUment in elementary schools in 

certain European countries 85 

Table showing illiteracy in certain countries, grouped according to 

percentages 85 

Tabular view of attendance laws in foreign countries 87 

Table showing compulsory education in foreign countries 91 

III. Compulsory education in Germany 94 

IV. The need of compulsory education in the South 99 

Tables showing illiteracy 99 

3 



CONTENTS. 



V. Laws of Ohio and of Massachusetts relating to compulsory education and 

child labor HI 

Ohio Ill 

Compulsory education HI 

Offenses against minors and females between 18 and 21 years 115 

Employing minors and females between 18 and 21 in factory, etc. . . 116 

Massachusetts •- 121 

School attendance 121 

Truants and truant schools 121 

Employment of women and children 125 

VI. Bibliography of compulsory education in the United States 131 

Index 135 



LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 



Department of the Interior, 

Bureau of Education, 

Washington, October 7, 1913. 

Sir: A half dozen States are still without laws requiring parents 
and guardians to give their children and wards an opportunity to 
profit by the provisions made by these States for their education, and 
thousands of children are growing up without that education and 
trainmg necessary for life, for making a living, for membership in 
society, and for the duties and responsibilities of citizenship. The 
individual, society, and State suffer as the result, despite the fact 
that the citizens and the property of the State are taxed for the 
support of schools. A general knowledge of the fact that more than 
four-fifths of the States and Nations accounted civilized and pro- 
gressive have attendance laws on their statute books, and an under- 
standing of the principle of such legislation and that it is necessary 
for democratic freedom, will hasten the needed legislation on this 
subject in these States. In other States attendance laws are less 
effective than they should be, and education officers and legislators 
want information as to the most effective laws of other States. Every- 
where school officers and students of education want information 
that mil enable them to make comparative studies of the relative 
value pf various forms of attendance laws and of their adminis- 
tration. 

For these reasons I recommend that the accompanying manu- 
script, prepared by W. H. Hand, professor of secondary education 
in the University of South Carolina, and members of this bureau, be 
published as a bulletin of the Bureau of Education. 

Respectfully submitted. 

P. P. Claxton, 
Commissioner. 

The Secretary of the Interior. 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 



I. COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE LAWS IN THE UNITED 

STATES. 

By W. S. Deffenbaugh, 
Specialist in School Administration, Bureau of Education. 

The formulation of effective compulsory attendance laws has been 
one of the problems confrontmg legislators and school officials for the 
past 70 years. The most marked advance in enacting such laws has 
been made since 1890. Prior to that date only 27 States and the 
District of Columbia had compulsory laws, and many of these were 
inoperative. Now 43 States have them; How effectively the laws 
of the several States are enforced it is not possible to determine, as 
statistics of enforcement are lacking in most of the States and in 
many of the city reports, but that many essential factors are wanting 
in some of the laws will be evident when a careful study is made of 
the tabular digest presented in this bulletm. 

In the following pages the writer has attempted to call to the atten- 
tion of the reader a few of the arguments for such laws and some of 
the factors necessary in their enforcement. The reports of city and 
State superintendents and articles prepared by practical school men 
are quoted freely. 

To introduce the subject, and to help the reader recall the early 
history of compulsory education in this country, a brief historical 
sketch of the early Massachusetts laws is presented. 

In 1642 the General Court of the Massachusetts colony issued the 
following order: ^ 

TMs court, taking into consideration the great neglect of many parents and masters 
in training up their children in learning and labor; and other employments which 
may be profitable to the Commonwealth, do hereupon order and decree that iu every 
town the chosen men appointed for managing the prudential affairs of the same shall 
henceforth stand charged with the care of the redress of this evil, so as they shall be 
sufficiently punished by fines for the neglect thereof, upon presentment of the grand 
jury, or other information or complaint in any court within this jurisdiction ; and for 
this end they, or the greater number of them, shall have power to take account from 
time to time of all parents and masters, and of their children, concerning their calling 

1 Records Mass. Colony, Vol. II. p. <«. 



8 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

and employment of tlieir children, especially of their ability to read and understand 
the principles of religion and the capital laws of their country, and to impose fines 
upon such as shall refuse to render such accounts to them when they shall be required. 

This law did not prescribe where the children should be taught. 
All it demanded was that they be given instruction in certain sub- 
jects; but five years later, in 1647, this was remedied by the following 
order : * 

It being one chiefe project of that old deluder, Satan, to keep men from the knowl- 
edge of the scriptures, as in former times, keeping them in an unknowne tongue, so 
in these latter times, by perswading them from the use of tongues, so that at least, the 
true sence and meaning of the originall might bee clouded with glosses of saint seeming 
deceivers; and that learning may not bee buried in the grave of our forefathers in 
church and commonwealth, the Lord assisting our indeavors; It is therefore ordered by 
this courte and authority thereof, That every towneshipp within this jurisdiction, after 
that the Lord hath increased them to the number of fifty howsholders, shall then forth- 
with appointe one T\dthin theire towne to teach all such children as shall resorte to 
him, to write and read ; whose wages shall be paid either by the parents or masters of 
such children, or by the inhabitants in generall, by way of supplye, as the major parte 
of those who order the prudentials of the towne shall appointe; provided, that those 
who send theire children, bee not oppressed by paying much more than they can have 
them taught for in other townes. And it is further ordered, that where any towne shall 
increase to the number of one hundred families or howsholders, they shall sett up a 
grammar schoole, the masters thereof being able to instruct youths so far as they may 
bee fitted for the university; and if any town neglect the performance hereof above 
one yeare, then every such towne shall pay five pounds per annum to the next such 
schoole, till they shall perform this order. 

These two laws embodied the principles upon which modern com- 
pulsory education rests in declaring that all children should be edu- 
cated, that the parent or the community must provide suitable 
education, and that the State may compel the establishment and 
mamtenance of schools and determine what these schools shall teach. 

When the development of the factory system began in Massachu- 
setts in the early part of the nineteenth century and the population 
began to concentrate in villages and cities, it was found that children 
could do much of the work in the factories and they were taken away 
from school for that purpose. It then became evident that further 
legislation was needed, and a "factory law" was enacted in 1842; but 
this was practically a dead letter, at least in its relation to school 
attendance. So great had the evils of nonattendance and truancy 
become that Horace Mann gave especial attention to it in his reports, 
and by 1850 public sentiment had become sufiiciently aroused to pass 
a truancy law. A compulsory attendance act followed in 1852, and 
that was amended m 1859 to read as follows: 

Section 1. Every person haAdng under liis control a child between the ages of 8 
and 14 years shall annually during tlie continuance of his control send such child to 

I- Records Mass. Coiony, Voi. II, p. 203. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. ' 9 

some public school in the city or town in which he resides at least 12 weeks, if the 
public schools of such city or town so long continue, weeks of which time shall be 
consecutive, and for every neglect of such duty the party offending shall forfeit to 
the use of such city or town a sum not exceeding .f 20; but if it appears upon the inquiry 
of the truant officers or school committee of ^ny city or town, or upon the trial of any 
prosecution, that the party so neglecting was not able, bj^ reason of poverty to send 
such child to school, or to furnish him with the means of education, or that such child 
has been otherwise furnished with the means of education for a like period of time, or 
has already acquired the branches of learning taught in the public schools, or that 
his bodily or mental condition has been such as to prevent his attendance at school 
or application to study for the period required, the penalty before mentioned shall 
not be incurred. 

Sec. 2. The truant officers and the school committees of the several cities and 
towns shall inquire into all cases of neglect of the duty prescribed in the preceding 
section and ascertain from the persons neglecting the reasons, if any, therefor; and 
shall forthwith give notice of all violations, with the reasons, to the treasurer of the 
city or town, and if such treasurer willfully neglects or refuses to prosecute any person 
liable to the penalty provided for in the preceding section he shall forfeit the sum of $20. ^ 

The failure of these esu'ly laws to secure attendance was apparent, 
and Siipt. White took up the subject in 1870, saying:- 

I am fully convinced, after many years of observation and inquiry, that the several 
enactments relating to this matter (absenteeism) are ill-adapted to their purpose, 
discordant, and incajDable of execution, and therefore need a careful and thorough 
revision, to which ample time and thought should be given. I therefore respectfully 
recommend that the present legislature be requested to pass a resolve directing the 
board of education or such other competent body as may be deemed proper to take 
into consideration all existing laws relating to school attendance, truancy, absenteeism, 
and the emi^loyment of children in manufactming establishments, and inquire what 
alterations and amendments are needed to combine said enactments into a uniform, 
consistent, and efficient code adapted to the present views and wants of the jDublic. 

By 1890 the law had been so amended that it was well enforced, 
according to Supt. J. W. Dickinson, who at that time reported to the 
United States Bureau of Education that "the compulsory law oper- 
ates well and is generally obeyed." ^ The obedience which seemed 
to satisfy Mr. Dicldnson would probably fail to meet the approval of 
the officers of the present day; but constant improvement has been 
made since then both in the laws and in the machinery for their 
enforcement. 

The Massachusetts compulsory education laws have been the model 
for imitation in other States of the Union, and all of them now have 
such laws except Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Caro- 
lina,^ and Texas. The laws of Maryland, Louisiana, Virginia, and 
Arkansas, however, do not apply to the entire State. 

1 U. S. Commis. of Ed., Rep., 1888-89, p. 472. = Ibid., pp. 473-7-1. 3 Ibid., p. 486. 

< A compulsory law applying to the cities of Charleston and Columbia was enacted in South Carolina In 
1876, but it was never enforced and was repealed soon afterwards. 



10 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 



IV] assachii setts 


1852 


Wyoming..'. 


... 1876 


District of Columbia. 


1864 


Ohio 


... 1877 


A'ermont 


1867 


Wisconsin 


.... 1879 


New Hampshire 


1871 


Rhode Island 


... 1883 


Michigan 


1871 


Illinois 


... 1883 


Washington 


1871 


Dakota 


... 1883 


Connecticut 


1872 


Montana 


... 1883 


New Mexico 


1872 


Minnesota 


... 1885 


Nevada 


1873 


Nebraska 


... 1887 


New York... 


1874 


Idaho 


... 1887 


Kansas 


1874 


Colorado 


.... 1889 


California 


1874 


Oregon 


... 1889 


Maine 


1875 


Utah 


... 1890 


New Jersey -, 


1875 


Pennsylvania 


... 1895 



The following table gives the date of the enactment of the first 
compulsory attendance law in each State: 

Date of enactment of compulsory attendance laws. 

Kentucky 1896 

West Virginia 1897 

Indiana 1897 

Arizona 1899 

Iowa 1902 

Maryland 1902 

Missouri 1905 

Tennessee 1905 

Delaware 1907 

North Carolina 1907 

Oklahoma 1907 

Virginia 1908 

Arkansas 1909 

Louisiana 1910 

OPPOSITION TO COMPULSORY EDUCATION LAWS. 

Though nearly all the States in the Union have enacted compul- 
sory attendance laws, each State has had to overcome much opposi- 
tion on the part of those who argued that such laws are un-American 
in principle, in that they interfere with the personal liberty of the 
parent. In 1891 and 1893 Gov. Pattison, of Pennsylvania, vetoed 
compulsory education bills on that ground. In 1895, when Gov. 
Hastings signed a similar bill, he did so only because he did not wish 
to obtrude his judgment in the matter, which was against the bill. 

The plea that such laws interfere with personal liberty has, how- 
ever, never been recognized by the courts, and all such laws now on 
the statutes of the several States are considered constitutional. 

Among the arguments offered by those opposed to the enactment 
of compulsory attendance laws are these: (1) A new crime is created; 
(2) it interferes with the liberty of parents; (3) new powers are 
arrogated by the Government; (4) it is un-American and not adapted 
to our free institutions; (5) compulsory education is monarchical in 
its origin and history; (6) attendance is just as great without the law. 

These points of opposition were met in 1872 by B. G. Northrop, 
secretary of the Connecticut State Board of Education, as follows : ^ 

Such a law Avould create a new crime. I reply, it ought to. To bring up children 
in ignorance is a crime and should be treated as such. As the most prolific so\irce of 
criminality it should be imder the ban of legal condemnation and the restraint of 
legal punishment. A_ll modern civilization and legislation has made new crimes. 
Barbarism recognizes but few. To employ children in factories who are under 10 
years of age or who have not attended school, or to employ minors under 18 years of 
age more than 12 hours a day, is each a new crime. 

It interferes with the liberty of parents. I reply again, it ought to, when they are 
iiicapacitated by vice or other causes for the performance of essential duties as parents. 



1 An. Rep. Conn. Bd. of Ed., 1872, p. 32. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 11 

Many other laws limit personal liberty. The requisition to serve on juries, or to aid 
the sheriff in arresting criminals, or the exactions of military seryice in the hour of 
the country's need — these and many other laws do this. If the law may prohibit the 
owner from practicing cruelty upon his horse or ox, it may restrain the parent from 
dwarfing the mind and debasing the character of his child. If the State may imprison 
and punish juvenile criminals, it may remove the causes of their crime and its con- 
sequences of loss, injury, and shame. The child has rights which not even a parent 
may violate. He may not rob his child of the sacred right of a good education. The 
law would justly punish a parent for starving his child, and more mischief is done by 
starving the mind than by famishing the body. The right of a parent to his children 
is founded on his ability and disposition to supply their wants of body and mind. 
When a parent is disqualified by intemperance, cruelty, or insanity, society justly 
assumes the control of the children. In ancient Greece the law gave almost unlimited 
authority to the father over his offspring. The same is true in some semibarbaroua 
nations now. In all Christian lands the rights of the parents are held to imply cer- 
tain correlative duties, and the duty to educate is as positive as to feed and clothe. 
Neglected children, when not orphans in fact, are virtually such, their parents ignoring 
their duties, and thus forfeiting their rights as parents. The State should protect 
the helpless, and especially these, its defenseless wards, who otherwise will be vicious 
as well as weak. 

It arrogates new power by the Government. So do all quarantine and hygienic 
regulations and laws for the abatement of nuisances. Now, ignorance is as noxious 
as the most offensive nuisance, and more destructive than bodily contagions. Self- 
protection is a fundamental law of society. 

It is un-American and unadapted to our free institutions. To put the question in 
the most offensive form, it may be asked, "Would you have policemen drag your 
children to school?" I answer, "Yes, if it will prevent his dragging them to jail a 
few years hence." But this law in our land would invoke no "dragging" and no 
police espionage or inquisitorial searches. With the annual enumeration and the 
school registers in hand, and the aid of the teachers and others most conversant with 
each district, school officers could easily learn who are the absentees. * * * 

Compulsory education is monarchical in its origin and history. Common as is this 
impression it is erroneous. Connecticut may justly claim to be one of the first States 
in the world to establish the principle of compulsory education. On this point our 
earliest laws were most rigid. They need but slight modification to adapt them to 
the changed circumstances of the present. Before the peace of Westphalia, before 
Prussia existed as a kindgom, and while Frederick William was only "elector of 
Brandenburg," Connecticut adopted coercive education. * * * 

Attendance would be just as large without the law as it is now. It may be so. 
But so far fi-om being an objection, this fact is strong proof of the efficiency of that 
law which has itself helped create so healthful a public sentiment. Were the law to 
be abrogated to-morrow the individual and general interest in public education 
would remain. The same might have been said of Connecticut for more than 170 
years after the adoption of compulsory education. During all that period a native 
of this State of mature age unable to read the English language would have been 
looked upon as a prodigy. Still, in Connecticut as well as in Germany, it was the 
law itself which greatly aided in awakening public interest and in fixing the liabits, 
associations, and traditions of the people. 

To the argument that modern compulsory education laws are 
monarchical in their origin and history, J. W. Perrin replies : ^ 

Common as the idea is that obligatory laws originated in Prussia, it is wholly erro- 
neous. Nearly two centuries had elapsed from Luther's famous address in 1524, 

1 Compulsory Education in New England, p. 29. 



12 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

before Frederick William I issued those mandatory orders that developed into com- 
pulsory attendance laws. These orders were issued October 24, 1713, and nearly' 
four years later, September 28, 1717, the King issued the first law. Then such laws 
had been tried by the State of Geneva, the Estates of Navarre, and the Duchy of 
Wurttemberg. Such a law had been in successful operation in Massachusetts for 75 
years and in Connecticut for nearly the same time. 

ENROLLMENT. 

Notwithstanding the fact that most States have enacted compul- 
sory attendance laws, many of them fail to enroll all the children 
coming within the provision of the law and to secure regular attend- 
ance on the part of those enrolled. This, however, does not mean 
that compulsory attendance is a failure, as those States that have 
such laws enroll a greater percentage of children and have a higher 
average of attendance than those States that have no such laws. 
Cities that have recently made trial for the first time of compelling 
attendance report excellent results. 

During the first year of the enforcement of the compulsory law in New Orleans 
1,361 cases were investigated with most satisfactory results. A very large number 
of children were placed in school and nearly 400 pupils became more regular in 
attendance. 

The superintendent of schools of Raleigh, N. C, wrote to this 
office in February, 1913: 

For the first time the schools of Raleigh have compulsory attendance. As a result 
729 more children are in school this year than last, and half of them are colored. 
The sentiment of the community is overwhelmingly in favor of the law. 

SCHOOL CENSUS. 

To secure the enrollment of pupils several factors are necessary, 
the most important of which is a complete census of all children of 
compulsory school age. Some otherwise well-written laws neglect 
this very important factor in execution, the school census being taken 
merely to secure State appropriations based upon the number of 
children in the district. That an annual census is necessary to secure 
enrollment is obvious. Every year children move from one district 
to another, and others have reached the compulsory age of 7, 8, or 
9 years as the law may be ; many immigrant children may have 
arrived who would not be discovered by the truant officer without a 
census list. If a school census has been taken, the teachers of the 
public, private, and parochial schools can promptly check off those not 
enrolled during the first few weeks of the school term. The truant 
officers can then easily locate them and secure their attendance. 

As early as 1873, Supt. John D. Philbrick, of Boston, called atten- 
tion to the need of a school census, thus : ^ 

J Rep. of rommis. of Ed., 1S88-89, vol. 1, p. 474. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 13 

111 a large city it is extremely difficult to execute tlie law respecting tlie attendance 
of cliildren between 8 and 14 years of age without the aid of sonae new instrumentality. 
The truant officers have no means of knowing the whereabouts of those nonattendants 
who are not found wandering about the streets and public squares. What is needed 
is a register of the names, ages, and residences of all children of the prescribed school 
age. Such register is found necessary wherever compulsory education is fully carried 
out. 

James D. Sullivan, chief attendance officer of the State of New 
York, says: ^ 

Our annual school census at present forms the basis of tlie inforcement of child 
labor and attendance laws, and serves this end only; yet the purpose sought is so 
important and far-reaching as to make the taking of the census one of the most impor- 
tant duties devolving upon the school authorities, because a thorough enforcement of 
these laws is necessarily dependent upon accurate and reliable census information. 

In 1909 a permanent census bureau created in cities of the first 
class in New York revealed 518 children in the city of Rochester 
unlawfully out of school; 6,318 in Buffalo; and 23,241 in New York 
City. Though the machinery of the compulsorj?^ attendance and 
child-labor laws had been in operation over 16 years and with much 
success, yet over 30,000 children were unlawfully out of school.- 

As further evidence of the value of a school census, the following 
extract is taken from the leport of the commissioner of education of 
Massachusetts : 

In more populous centers school attendance officers are greatly handicapped by 
the absence of reliable information regarding the children on whom school attendance 
is obligatory. An annual census is required in the towns and cities of Massachusetts, 
but this census is not taken in such a way as to furnish information which attendance 
officers can use. Students of school administration are agreed that in more populous 
areas some form of pennanent registration of all children who come under the school 
attendance law (and it is to be remembered that in some cases this extends to the age ' 
of 18 in Massachusetts) should be provided. In connection with the taking of the 
annual school census, it would be possible to provide a card record which could, after 
comparison with the registration of the school, become the basis on which attendance 
officers could investigate illegal absence.^ 

Similar testimony is presented by the commissioner of education of 
New York, who states: 

The organization of permanent census boards in cities of the first class under the 
l^rovisions of the education law has become an efficient agency in the proper enforce- 
ment of the compulsory attendance law. The work of tliese boards in the cities of the 
first class has demonstrated that compulsory attendance laws can not be satisfactorily 
enforced without a complete up-to-date census available to the school authorities at 
all times. The law gives all cities not of the first class the discretion to organize 
census boards on the same conditions on which such boards are operated in the first- 
class cities. Thus far no city has voluntarily adopted the plan of a census board 
and carried out the work as it is done in the cities of the first class. However, some 

1 Rep. of Commis. of Ed., New York, 1912, p. 324. 

2 Ibid., p. 325. 

3 T-lth An. Rep. of Mass. Bd. of Ed., 1909-10, p. 85. 



14 COMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

of tlie other cities liave done very much along this line. The law requires all cities 
which do not establish census boards to take a census of the children in such cities 
once eveiy four years. The last census taken in these cities was in 1909, and another 
will not be taken until 1913. A census of the children of a city taken three years 
ago is of no material service to school authorities in the enforcement of the compul- 
sory attendance law at the present time.^ 

Even with a yearly census many children of prescribed school age 
may be unlawfully out of school for an entire school year. If children 
move into a district after the census has been taken, the attendance 
officer may not discover them. 

Who shall take the school census is a problem that needs careful 
consideration in framing compulsory education laws." If the enumera- 
tion is not made by the school board or its agent, it is a question of 
how complete a census will be taken. In Pennsylvania until 1911 
it was the duty of the assessors to register the school children. In 
1910 John W. Anthony, who made a study of the school census in 
Pennsylvania, said: ^ 

The farcical character of this census in most Pennsylvania districts has long been 
recognized. Sixty-two cities condemn the method and ten find it satisfactory. In 
twenty cities the enrollment exceeds the number on the census list. 

Leonard P. Ajrres, commenting on the school census, says : 

In 1900 the authorities of the United States Census made a study of the school cen- 
suses taken during that year and compared the results with the actual enumeration 
of children made by the Federal agents during the same year. In 26 States and 
Territories the number of children reported in the school censuses was less than the 
number found by the Federal agents. The local authorities failed to report more than 
a third of a million children of school age, the error in some cases being as high as 25 
per cent. In 17 States the local agents reported a quarter of a million children more 
than there actually were, the error of over statement running as high as 15 per cent.^ 

THE IMMIGRANT. 

Immigrant children in the large cities are difficult to locate. Miss 
Julia Richman says : * 

Notwithstanding all our compulsory education laws and all our child-labor laws, 
notwithstanding the fact that the welfare of the Nation depends upon the control of 
illiteracy, no attempt has ever been made by school authorities, whether municipal, 
State,' or Federal, to secure a census of immigrants of legal school age. Were such 
records carefully made at ports of entry and duplicates thereof immediately sent to 
the proper school authorities, not one child under the age limit of the laws of the 
State could escape attendance at school. Thousands of such aliens have arrived, and 
are still continuing to arrive, drifting into delinquency and crime, with little or no 
interference on the part of the school. Somewhere and somehow at every port of 
entry there must be established a bureau in which most careful entries should be 
made — entries that will show a list of immigrants of school age, tabulated according 
to destination. Carefully classified duplicate lists must be immediately forwarded 

1 Rep. of Commis. of Ed., New York, 1912, p. 62. 

2 Compulsory Education in Pennsylvania, p. 4. 

3 Laggards in Our Schools, Ayres, p. 191. 

' i Proc. of the Nat. Ed. Asso., 1905, p. 113. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 15 

to the municipal school authorities in the respective towns or cities to which the aliens 
are bound. With these lists in hand, the school authorities could enroll immediately 
all who belong under their control. 

CHILDREN AVITH EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES. 

Another class of pupils often lost to the schools are those who have 
received employment certificates but have failed to find work, or 
who, after working a few weeks, have quit and not returned to 
school. Supt. W. H. Maxwell, of New York City, says: ^ 

Principals and teachers who have paid some attention to the causes of truancy 
inform me that one of the most patent is the issuance of employment certificates to 
boys and girls who have not seciured employment. The law requires that they shall 
be in school unless legally employed ; but most young people who obtain the certifi- 
cates, their parents, and, I am sorry to say, some principals and teachers look upon 
these official documents as licenses to remain away from school and to roam the 
streets until employment is obtained. If perchance one of these delinquents is 
arrested by an attendance officer, his excuse is that he is looking for work. This 
excuse is generally accepted by the courts as a sufficient defense against the charge 
of truancy. There is no question that the placing of employment certificates in the 
hands of children who have no trade and who are not employed is a partial cause of 
truancy. 

This weakness in most compulsory laws can be remedied only by 
having the employment certificate made directly to the employer 
after the child has found employment and by having the employer 
return this certificate to the school authorities when the child leaves 
his employ. This plan effectually prevents children with employ- 
ment certificates from wandering the streets before they have secured 
employment or after they have quit a position. This is much more 
effective than having the employer report every three months the 
names of all children in his employ, as by that plan a child may be 
unlawfully out of school several months before the school authorities 
learn of the fact, while if the certificate is returned at once the child 
can be easily located. 

TRANSFERRING TO AND FROM PRIVATE SCHOOLS, 

Other children are lost when transferrmg to and from private 
schools if there is not the closest cooperation between the public 
school and the private school. A pupil may receive a transfer to 
attend a private school. This child may be lost to the school unless 
iaquiries are made of the private school whether such child is enrolled. 
A child may leave a private school and not enroll hi a public school 
unless the pubhc school has been notified of the child's withdrawal 
from the private school. This defect can not be remedied until pre- 
cisely the same reports to attendance officers as to absentees are 
required of private schools as of public schools. A few States require 

1 An. Rep. New York City, 1912, p. 241. 



16 COMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

the register of private schools to be kept open for inspection by 
public-school officials, but this is not sufficient to enforce the attend- 
ance laws properly. 

POVERTY. 

One of the most difficult problems to solve in enforcing the com- 
pulsory attendance laws is that of compelling children from poverty- 
stricken homes to attend school. Some States provide that such 
children may be excused. The question may be raised, If it is neces- 
sary for the perpetuity of the State to compel the attendance of 
children belonging to the wealthier class of people, does it f oUow that 
the education of the poorer classes is not necessary ? 

To compel the attendance of children of parents who are too poor 
to keep them in school, some States have taken decided steps. In 
Michigan if a parent can not support a child of compulsory school 
age, the board of education may grant such relief as will enable the 
child to attend school during the entire school year, not more than 
$3 a week to be paid a family for one child, nor more than $6 a week 
for the children of any one family. The law of Oklahoma provides 
that if a widowed mother needs the support of her child under 10 
years of age the county commissioners, on certificate of the county 
superintendent, may pay the child such sum as may be necessary in 
lieu of wages. 

All cases must necessarily be thoroughly mvestigated. In Cin- 
cinnati the board of education has made arrangements with the local 
associated charities to have all cases reported by truant officers 
investigated by the trained social workers of that organization. 
Relief is afforded only when recommended by them.^ 

An argument offered for such relief is that the benefit arising from 
the labor of a child under 14 years of age is short-lived, as his earning 
capacity is small; and if he is allowed to work during his immature 
years, his earning capacity will never be great, for he will always be 
an unskilled laborer; he may even become a burden upon society, 
since it is not likely that he can ever earn much more than a child. 
If, on the other hand, relief is afforded and the child is permitted to 
attend school and complete the elementary course of study, his earn- 
ing capacity and his ability to advance are increased, thus taking 
him out of the ranks of a class verging upon pauperism. 

Franklin H. Giddings, professor of sociology, Columbia Univer- 
sity, discussing the social aspect of compulsory education and child- 
labor laws, says ^ that — 

a very special difficulty, and, one that puts all our theories and our de\dce8 to a severe 
test, is that which is presented by destitute families, and that the practical question, 

1 Annals of Am. Acad., vol. 33, sup., p. 79. 2 Proc. of Nat. Ed. Assoc, 1905, p. 112. 



ATTENDAITOE LAWS. 17 

which, has to be answered over and over is : Is it right to take a strong overgrown boy 
13 years of age from money-earning employment and force him to attend school, 
when, by so doing, we compel a widowed mother to apply to private or public relief 
agencies for help, thereby making her, and perhaps the boy also, a pauper? Prof. 
Giddings concludes that the only answer, consistent with the policy of compulsory 
education itself, is the proposition that in such cases adequate public assistance should 
be given, not as charity, but as a right. * * * 

A final and deeper difficulty exists which has received, cmiously, little attention. 
We hear a great deal lately about "race suicide." Large families are no longer 
seen, especially in the so-called middle class. It is strange that no one has pointed 
out the connection between the increased demand upon parents to maintain their 
children in school, foregoing the earnings that children might add to the family 
income, and the diminishing size of the average family. * * * The question 
therefore that we shall have to face and to answer is this : Shall the State pay parents 
for keeping their children in school between the ages of 10 and 14? 

SECUEING REGULAR ATTENDANCE. 

To enroll children of compulsory school age is but the first step in 
enforcing compulsory-attendance laws; the next step is to secure 
regular attendance. By referring to the tables, page 25, it will be 
seen that the percentage of attendance is so low in many States that 
the eflS-ciency of the schools is only two-thirds as great as it should 
be when measured m terms of attendance as compared with enroll- 
ment. The average effective school year in the United States is only 
111.8 days out of an average of 166.8 days the schools are m session. 
Granting the time necessary for the average child to complete a grade 
is 156.8 days, the child attending the average time of 111.8 days 
would need 11.2 years m which to complete an eight-year course. 
In other words, the child would lose three years, which in most cases 
would mean the elimination of that child before the eighth grade was 
reached. If 180 days are necessary to complete a grade, a child 
attending 111.8 days each year would be 12.9 years completing eight 
grades. 

The following extracts from school reports at once make it evident 
that if pupils are to be promoted promptly and regularly, and if the 
schools are to reach theu* full measure of efficiency, the school officials 
must not only enroll all the children of compulsory age, but must 
also secure regular attendance for the whole term. In New York 
City the highest rate of promotion at the end of the term June, 1911, 
was among children absent 10 days and less, the rate of promotion 
bemg 93.16 per cent. The rate of promotion was lower for pupils 
absent 11 to 20 days than for pupils absent 10 days by 5.56 per cent; 
for pupils absent from 21 to 30 days, by 17.85 per cent; for pupils 
absent from 31 to 40 days, by 18.62 per cent; and lower for pupils 
absent 41 days and above, by 40.34 per cent.^ 

1 Report Committee on School Inquiry, New York City, p. 66. 
14426°— 14 2 



18 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

Effect of irregular attendance upon promotion. ' 



Number of days present. 



Promoted 
more 
than 
twice. 



Promoted 
twice. 



Promoted 
once. 



Not pro- 
moted 
at all. 



180 or more 

160 and less than 180. 
140 and less than 160 . 
120 and less than 140 - 
100 and less than 120. 

80 and less than 100. 

60 and less than 80 . . 

40 and less than 60. . 

20 and less than 40. . 

Less than 20 



190 

162 

58 

16 

5 

8 

3 

1 

2 

1 



7,484 

5,064 

1,138 

434 

217 

169 

78 

65 

30 

17 



1,871 
2,027 
934 
496 
373 
767 
298 
224 
150 
57 



124 
204 
161 
154 
144 
352 
379 
399 
438 
309 



Total - 



14, 696 



7,197 



1 An. rep. of public schools of Columbus, Ohio, 1911, p. 188. 
REPORTING ABSENTEES. 

Superintendents of schools often complain that parents, once 
having enrolled their children, assume that they have met the re- 
quirements of the compulsory-attendance law; that they then feel at 
liberty to keep their children out of school for the most trivial reasons, 
and it is not uncommon for a teacher to receive notes from parents 
saying simply that the child ''was needed at home." Whenever such 
excuses are accepted, the compulsory-attendance law at once becomes 
a dead letter so far as that case is concerned. 

Some laws are obviously weak in that no provision is made for 
reporting absentees to the attendance officer. To secure regular 
attendance, it is evident that teachers should report at once all ab- 
sentees who are not legally excused. Some States require teachers 
to report absentees but once a month, when the monthly report is 
sent to the superintendent or secretary of the board; some require 
such reports only once or twice a year. Clearly, if absentees are 
reported but once a month a parent may keep hio child out of school 
for 20 or more days before he is called to account. Some States do 
not even specifically rec|uire teachers to report absentees to the at- 
tendance officer or superintendent. 

The effectiveness of compulsory-attendance laws depends to a 
great extent upon how promptly teachers report unexcus^l absences, 
and excuse only those whom the law exempts. Several of the laws 
recently enacted require reports to be made daily. In cities of the 
first, second, and third classes in Kentucky the principal of each 
school must report each day to the city superintendent or truant 
officer all children absent without lawful excuse. Several States 
require reports after an absence of three days. In a well-adminis- 
tered school no child should be out of school even for that length of 
4;ime without the teacher's knowing where such child is, either by a 
personal visit or by a visit from the attendance officer to discover 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 19 

the cause of absence. A close and rigid investigation of all excuses 
reduces truancy and irregular attendance to a minimum. 

An experiment was conducted by the truancy department of the 
Indianapolis schools several years ago by having the truant officer 
visit the school daily and obtain the names of aU absentees. AU 
cases of absence were visited, even though a good excuse, such as 
sickness, was known to exist. Although many children were 
excluded at that time, as medical inspection had been recently intro- 
duced, the absentees during the four months' period was 20 per cent 
ess than for the corresponding period of the preceding year. The 
method was discontinued, as it imposed too much work upon the 
officer, whose duties were already heavy. Money so expended would, 
however, bear dividends far beyond those accruing to the more or less 
haphazard method under present conditions.^ 

TRUANTS. 

Many parents think that compulsory attendance laws are aimed 
directly at truancy, and that it is the chief duty of the attendance 
officer to be on the lookout for truants. It is a question, however, 
whether a truant officer should arrest a boy on the street for playing 
tniant or whether the parent should be arrested. Some truant 
officers make information agamst the parent, and if the parent proves 
that he can not control his child the officer takes charge of the child. 
In California and other States if a parent presents proof by affidavit 
that he is unable to compel his child to attend school the parent shaU 
be exempt from penalties, and the child may, in the discretion of the 
board of education, be deemed a truant and subject to assignment to 
the parental school. 

W. I. Bodine, superintendent of compulsory education in Chicago, 
says : - 

It is the policy of the Chicago compulsory education department to minimize 
truancy by checking the temporary absentee in the first lapse of attendance at school 
by prosecuting indifferent parents in instances where they are responsible for truancy 
and nonattendance and by sending to the parental school those habitual truants who 
are beyond the control of parents. 

The latter class is relatively very small. Of 56,450 cases of non- 
attendance in St. Louis, 1911-12, there were only 1,709 cases of 
truancy; 196 were brought to juvenile court, and 27 taken to the 
home of detention.^ Of 63,855 cases in Chicago, 3,801 were truant, 
only 1,352 reporting the offense after the case had been put into the 
hands of the truant officer.^ Of 162,124 cases referred to the attend- 
ance officers in New York City for investigation, 11,064 were found to 
be truants. Of this number 5,848 relapsed mto truancy and were 

1 Educational review, Indianapolis. 43: p. 80. s An. Eep. St. Louis, 1911-12, p. 296. 

a Charities, vol. 17, p. 535. ■« An. Rep. Chicago, 1912, p. 86. 



20 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

again returned to school or were committed to a truant school; 151 
were committed to a truant school by the city superintendent, and 
705 by the children's court.^ Of the 8,983 cases investigated in the 
State of Connecticut in. 1910-11, there were but 71 truants.^ 

In the small cities and in rural districts where there are only a few 
truants, it is a problem to know what to do with them, as school 
boards in cities under twenty-five or thirty thousand population are 
seldom inclined to establish separate schools for truants. The prob- 
lem is solved in some States by the establishment of county industrial 
schools for habitual truants. Many States, however, make no other 
provision than the State reform school. When there is no other 
school for truants than a reform school, habitual truants and incor- 
rigible children are often not committed for fear that, bad though 
they are, to send them there would make them worse. 

Experience has shown that effective enforcement or compulsory 
laws requires two kinds of special schools: One for chUclren who, 
because of irregular attendance or other causes, are not keeping up 
with their classss; and the other kind for truants. In each case the 
work should be adapted to the conditions, and teachers of special 
skill should be provided. 

OFFICERS. 

It is obvious that no law can be enforced without proper officials 
charged with its enforcement. Dr. Andrew S. Draper, writing of the 
necessity of such officers, says:^ 

Attendance officers are a vital factor in the proper enforcement of the compulsory- 
attendance law. This statement is true in relation to the enforcement of this law in 
any part of the State, but it is particularly true in relation to its enforcement in the 
rural regions. In the populous centers of the State better school organizations gener- 
ally exist than in the country, and there is permanent work for truant officers. The 
attendance officers in the country districts are generally engaged in pursuits which 
demand most of their time, and they do not give sufficient attention to looking after 
violations of the compulsory attendance law. The fact that men must be chosen for 
this work who are generally required to engage in some regular business to gain a liveli- 
hood renders the selection of such men all the more important. Much of the failure 
properly to enforce this law grows out of the selection of inefficient attendance officers. 
It is believed that a better class of such officers would be provided if the authority to 
appoint them should be transferred from town boards to the new supervisory school 
officers known as the district superintendents. 

Indiana has undoubtedly taken an advance step in the matter of 
securing a better class of men for attendance officers by enacting that 
a person to be eligible for appointment as county or other attendance 
officer shall have completed the eighth grade of the State's common 
schools or have an education equivalent thereto. One of the chief 
reasons why inefficient men are often employed, especially in rural 

1 An. Rep. New York City, 1912, pp. 236-239. 

2 An. Rep. of Conn., 1911, p. 111. 

8 An. Rep. of New York State, 1913, p. 61. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 21 

districts and in small cities, is that the salary is usually so low that 
no capable man will accept the position unless he has some other 
occupation. 

Another oflB.cer, the ''school visitor" or ''visiting teacher," has 
become one of the efficient means in some cities for securing regular 
attendance. Miss Mary Flexner, who has made a recent study of the 
work of these officers, writes:^ 

The visiting teacher was created to bridge a gap in the existing school machinery. 
Her province lies outside that of the regular teacher, the attendance officer, and the 
school nurse, though, like the attendance officer and the school nurse, she goes into 
the child's home. To her is assigned the group called the "difficult" children, and 
it is her aim to discover, if possible, the cause of the difficulty which manifests itself 
in poor scholai'ship, annoying conduct, irregular attendance, or the need of or desire 
for advice on some important phase of life. It is too much to expect the regular teacher, 
handicapped as she is by her large class, to cope with such situations. Nor Js it to 
be expected that those qualified to act as attendance officer or school niu'se, were 
they not already bradened, should do the work of the \-isiting teacher. In lier is 
united the training that makes a teacher and a social service worker, and it is because 
of this combination that she is able to mden the regular teacher's reacli and help her 
to interpret and solve the problems as they present them^selves. From the school 
she learns that the cliild is appai'entiy making little effort, that his work is "C" or 
worse, or that he is perpetually maldng trouble in the classroom and is never attentive, 
or that he seems lifeless, unable to keep pace with the class, or that he attends so 
iri'egularly it is impossible to teach him anji;liing, or that he has not time to study, 
and the situation at home is such that he must leave school and go to work. 

With these facts as clues, she sets to work; it is impossible to define her methods, 
for they vary -mih her tact, her resom'cefulness, as with the specific character of the 
problem before her. Briefly, they are the methods that spring from a friendly interest, 
an intimate personal relation. 

Between the home and the school the "visiting teacher vibrates, carrying to the 
former the school's picture of the child and returning to the school to reenforce that 
impression or to shed new light upon the problem. ' There is no fixed number of 
times that she travels this path, as there is no fixed hour of the day. The urgency and 
complexity of the situation alone determine her movements. Nor is there any regular 
routine of action that she follows. "V^'liatever in her judgment seems imperative she 
endeavors to effect, using to tlus end everything that tlie ingenuity of man has devised 
to make smooth the rough places in life. It is a focusing of interests that she demands. 
The child is the pivotal point on which she hopes to bring all her knowledge and 
experience to bear. Sometimes it is the expert teacher's training that she invokes; 
sometimes the psycliologist or the physician, general or special, that she consults, 
or, again, it is the social worker to whom she appeals. Before these she lays the facts, 
the reasons why her serAdces have been sought, and from them she asks cooperation. 

The results achieved do not always show a complete cure. In some cases there has 
been a marked improvement in scholarship, conduct, or attendance. At least a good 
start in the right direction has been made. In others the child has been transferred 
to a regular class — regular, special, or ungi-aded— or to a trade school, Avhere his chances 
at succeeding in making a place for himself ai-e increased. In others the information 
that the visiting teacher shares with the child's teacher has resulted in a change of 
attitude on her part or an expansion or contraction of the course of study or in gi'sdng 
the child extra instruction in study periods or out of school hoiu-s. Finally, he has 
been lielped to promotion, even to graduation. 

1 Sch. Bd. Jour., July, 1913, p. 35. 



22 COMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

In 1904 Mrs. Dorcas E. Hiser, then director of the truancy depart- 
ment of Indianapolis, Ind., made a special study of the coloied schools 
in that city to determine the causes of the poor attendance at these 
schools and the best methods of removing those causes. As a result 
of her investigation, Mrs. Hiser recommended that a trained charity 
worker be employed as attendance officer for the colored schools and 
as a friendly visitor for the homes. 

A visit was made each day to a different school and a list of absen- 
tees was taken from the teacher's register. Then followed a visit to 
the homes, where each case was handled according to its individual 
needs. 

The chief truant officer, writing of these visits, says in his report 
for 1909:^ 

The gain that can be expressed by figures, encouraging though it is, does not compare 
in importance to the social gain. The former hostility to colored schools and colored 
teachers has been almost entirely replaced by an increasing race pride in the schools 
and by a growing consciousness that the school is working with the home for the best 
interest of the child. The encoiu'aging attitude of colored parents toward their schools 
is well illustrated by the active parents' club, which is connected with each school. 

State agents are undoubtedly of great assistance in the proper 
enforcement of the attendance law. At present in^most States the 
State department has no direct way of knowing whether more than 
a perfunctory attempt has been made to carry out the provisions of 
the law. The commissioner of education of Massachusetts, recog- 
nizing the value of such agents, says in his report for 1911-12 that it 
would be an advantage to education in that State if a specially trained 
agent were employed to give his services to communities in the 
enforcement of the laws on compulsory education, on the census, 
and on the oversight and custody of truants. 

In an address before the Pennsylvania State Teachers Association 
in 1910, John W. Anthony, who had had much experience in small 
city schools and in the schools of Pittsburgh, said:^ 

The State department needs one thing more before a thorough enforcement of 
compulsory education becomes general in our State. Two or three traveling inspec- 
tors should be appointed, similar to the high-school inspectors already at work. 

On the basis of theii" reports the department wo.uld be able — as it is not able at pres- 
ent, although the law allows it — ^to withhold one-fourth of any district's appropriation 
for failure to enforce the law. New York State has 12 such traveling agents. As a 
result of their reports the State appropriations were withheld last year from 13 school 
districts. 

Unless there is some such inspection it is impossible for the State 
department to know whether each district in the State has fuUy com- 
plied with the law, and, again, such officers would make it possible to 
collect the data necessary to determine what legislative changes are 
needed and how the law could be most effectively administered. 

1 An. Rep. Indianapolis, 1909, p. 219. 2 Compulsory Education in Pennsylvania, p. 7. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 23 

AGE. 

One other problem difficult to solve in the enactment of com- 
pulsory attendance laws is that of determining the proper age limits. 
The tendency at present is to make 14 or 15 years the age at which a 
child may withdraw from school, provided he has certain educa- 
tional attainments. The standard is low in most States, only a few 
requiring so much as the completion of the fifth grade. The tend- 
ency, however, is to strengthen the required educational qualifications 
regardless of age limit. A committee representing the division of 
special education of the National Education Association took a very 
advanced position in 1910 by recommending that ^ the compulsory 
education laws recognize the difference between the chronological 
and the physiological age of a child, that the school age limit of each 
individual child be determined by maturity tests only, no matter 
whether the child is, in years, above or below the age standard; in 
other words, that a child's actual age be determined by physio- 
psychological data corresponding to the normal standard of the age 
limit required by law, and that all children or persons failing to meet 
such maturity tests shall be permanently under public supervision 
and control. This, viewed in the light of present conditions in most 
States and cities, would seem ideal rather than practicable, though 
an ideal, no doubt, worth attempting to realize. 

PENALTIES. 

No law can be properly enforced unless proper penalties are pro- 
vided. In most States fines upon parents are, no doubt, sufficiently 
great to secure a proper enforcement of the law, but in only a few 
instances are penalties provided for school boards and attendance 
officers for neglect of duty. In many mstances the laws are not 
enforced because officers and school officials are negligent. In 1909 
J. D. Erdliff , who made a report to the State Teacher' Asssociation of 
Missouri regarding compulsory education in that State, found that 
26 cities failed to enforce the law, not because of any serious defect 
in it, but because of the indifference and neglect of the school au- 
thorities in these cities. 

ANNUAL PERIOD OF ATTENDANCE. 

Many of the early laws did not prescribe a de&iite time for attend- 
ance each year, but, instead, specified so many consecutive weeks, 
without stating when the period was to begin. This led to con- 
fusion, and it was often difficult to determme when a child had at- 
tended the prescribed time. Those laws that permit children to 

I Proc. Nat. Ed. Assoc, 1910, p. 1034. 



24 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

attend a certain j3roportion of the time are also difficult to enforce 
so as to secure regular attendance. To be effective a definite annual 
period should be prescribed. Most States, however, now require 
attendance for the full period school is in session in the district. 

CHILD LABOR. 

It is not the purpose to discuss the child-labor laws and their 
enforcement, but rather to call the attention of the reader to some 
questions regarding child labor that need solution. Owen R. Love- 
joy, general secretary of the National Child Labor Committee, says 
that the following questions are still unsettled and need careful 
consideration : ^ 

1. What classes of children should be entirely eliminated aa a factor in the indus- 
trial problem? 

2. From what industries should all children be eliminated? 

3. What regulations should govern the conditions of the children who may wisely 
be employed? 

4. What is to be done with those excluded from industry? 

CONCLUSION. 

In closing this paper, the following summary is given of the most 
important factors in their enforcement : 

1. An annual school census taken by the school authorities of the 
city or district. 

2. Prompt reports by teachers of public and private schools of ail 
absentees not legally excused. 

3. Properly qualified attendance officers who give all their time 
and attention to the enforcement of the law, and also school visitors 
in cities having a large foreign or negro population. 

4. State agents to see that the laws are enforced. 

5. Special schools for truants and pupils irregular in attendance. 

6. Relief for indigent parents having children of compulsory age. 

7. A definite annual period of attendance. 

8. Well-enforced child-labor laws. 

9. Employment certificate made to employer and not to be used 
by child when seeking a new position. 

10. Proper penalties on all concerned in the enforcement of the law. 

1 Annals of Am. Acad., vol. 33, sup., p. 50. 



ATTENPAN-CE LAWS. 25 

Proportion of children 6 to 14 years of age attending school.^ 



States. 



Alabama 

Arizona 

California 

Colorado 

Connecticut 

Delaware 

Florida 

Georgia 

Idaho 

Illinois 

Indiana.., 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kentucky 

liouisiana 

Maine 

Maryland 

Massachusetts.. 

Michigan 

Minnesota 

Mississippi 

Missouri 

Montana 

Nebraska 

Nevada 

New nampshiie 
New Jersey...'.. 

New Mexico 

New York 

North Carolina. 
North Dakota.. 

Ohio 

Oklahoma 

Oregon 

Pennsylvania. . . 
Rhode Island... 
South Cai-olina . . 
South Dakota.. 

Tennessee 

Texas 

Utah 

Vermont 

Virginia 

Washington 

West Virginia . . 

Wisconsin 

Wyoming 



All 
classes. 



Per cent. 
61.1 
67.2 
86.9 
86.7 
92.3 
81.9 
66.0 
65.6 
82.1 
87.8 
88.2 
90.7 
88.2 
76.0 
54.6 
89.2 
80.2 
92.9 
90.7 
88.8 
72.2 
85.2 
82.7 
90.2 
83.2 
91.2 
88.6 
72.9 
90.0 
71.7 
80.7 
89.8 
81.3 
85.5 
86.5 
88.8 
62.6 
83.3 
72.1 
70.2 
85.6 
92.9 
68.3 
85.7 
82.5 
89.9 
84.5 



Native white. 



Native 
parent- 



Pcr cent. 
70.0 
80.4 
87.4 
86.4 
92.6 
83.4 
72.1 
74.8 
82.0 
88.2 
88.4 
90.8 
88.3 
76.3 
68.4 
90.3 
83.3 
93 Q 
9i.3 
88.8 
84.2 
85. S 
83.6 
90.1 
86.3 
92.2 
89.6 
76.9 
89.9 
75.7 
82.7 
90.3 
82.2 
85.1 
88.1 
91.2 
72.1 
84.1 
75.2 
74.3 
85.4 
93.1 
73.2 
85.9 
83.0 
90.8 
84.9 



Foreign 
or mixed 

parent- 
age. 



Per cent. 
78.1 
72.1 
88.1 
88.4 
92.6 
83.4 
76.1 
84.5 
84.1 
88.0 
87.6 
90.8 
89.1 
87. 1 
69.7 
88.4 
80.0 
93.1 
90.6 
89.2 
82.9 
86.7 



88.8 
91.3 
88.7 
75.1 
90.6 
84.0 
81.5 
89.2 
85.5 
87.3 
84.8 
89.0 
81.4 
84.6 
83.6 
60.3 
87.9 
93.3 
80.0 
86.9 
82.9 
89.7 
85. 9 



Toreign- 
born 
white. 



Per cent. 
70.2 
61.6 
82.3 
81.7 
89.2 
75.9 
63.5 
76.0 
76.2 
83.8 
80.6 
82.0 
76.7 
83.8 
50.7 
Si.O 
75.5 
88.1 
86. S 
86.0 
44.0 
80.7 
76.1 
85.1 
76.7 
85.5 
83.8 
56.5 
88.3 
64. 8 
70.0 
84.0 
75.8 
82.7 
79.6 
82.4 
72.2 
72.9 
78.9 
38.4 
83.5 
89.3 
71.3 
83.9 
66.1 
84.1 
76.4 



Negro. 



Per cent. 
49.3 
81.5 
88.4 
85.4 
90.5 
76.0 
57.1 
55.4 



83.0 
87.7 
89.3 
84.6 
70.3 
S7.4 
90.7 
70.7 
92.0 
S9.4 
90.0 
63.7 
75.9 
83.1 
87.9 



85.7 
73.8 
87.1 
64.0 



87.2 
76.5 
77.5 
82. 9 
87.7 
56.1 
86.4 
60.1 
64.5 
81.1 
87.6 
58. 7 
81.3 
72.2 
88.9 
84.7 



1 Census Bulletin: Reprint of chap. 7, abstract of the Thirteenth Census, 1910, p. 228. 
School attendance according to percentages. 



High- 



-90 and over.^ — Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Micliigan, Nebraska, New 
Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. 

Medium — 80 to 90. — California, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, 
Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, 
North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, 
South Dakota, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. 

Low — 70 to 80.^ — Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas. 

Very low^ — Below 70. — Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Caro- 
lina, Virginia. 



26 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

School attendance in 1910-11. 



Divisions and States. 


Average 

number of 

days the 

schools 

were kept. 


Average 
number of 

days at- 
tended by 
each pupil 

enrolled. 


Per cent. 


Rank. 




156.8 


111.8 


71.3 










179.8 
159.3 
164.3 
130.6 
127.8 


142.4 
119.8 
121.3 
85.1 
79.1 


79.2 
75.2 
73.8 
65.2 
61.9 


1 


Western Division . . 


2 




3 




4 


South Central Di^rision. . . 


5 








138.0 
185.0 
159.0 
180.5 
170.4 
147.0 
186.9 
168.5 
171.0 
160.0 
173.6 
184.9 
183.0 
170.0 
194.0 
163.8 
140.9 
156.0 
161.3 
172.3 
172.0 
165.5 
145.3 
140.0 
156.9 
179.6 
155.4 
168.6 
116.2 
135.0 
156.0 
133.0 
151.0 
92.8 
135.1 
104.1 
135.2 
115.0 
152.0 
131.5 
135.5 
172.5 
113.9 
151.4 
115.2 
185.0 
130.0 
120.0 
131.8 


120.7 

153.3 

131.6 

144.5 

136.2 

116.4 

147.6 

132.1 

134.0 

124.5 

134.0 

142.7 

140.2 

127.5 

145.5 

122.7 

105.3 

115.7 

118.7 

127.4 

126.1 

120.8 

105.4 

101.5 

113.1 

128.5 

109.0 

118.0 

80.7 

92.8 

106.5 

90.4 

101.5 

61.6 

89.6 

67.8 

87.1 

74.1 

97.3 

84.6 

87.0 

108.2 

71.9 

94.4 

71.2 

113.4 

76.3 

66.9 

72.1 


87.5 
82.9 
82.8 
80.0 
79.9 
79.2 
78.9 
78.5 
78.3 
77.8 
77.19 
77.17 
76.6 
75.0 
75.0 
74.9 
74.7 
74.2 
73.6 
73.4 
73.3 
73.0 
72.54 
72.5 
72.1 
71.6 
70.1 
70.0 
69.5 
68.7 
68.3 
67.9 
67.2 
66.4 
' 66.3 
65.2 
64.5 
64.4 
64.0 
64.3 
64.2 
62.7 
63.1 
62.4 
61.8 
61.3 
58.7 
55.8 
54.7 


1 


Massachusetts 


2 


Utah 


3 


District of Columbia ... 


4 




5 




6 


New York . . - 


7 




8 




9 


Vermont . 


10 




11 




12 


New Jersey . . 


13 




14 


Rhode Island . 


15 




16 




17 


Kansas 


18 




19 




20 


Iowa . 


21 


Ohio . . . 


22 


Nevada ^ 


23 


Idaho 


24 




25 




26 




27 




28 


Florida . . 


29 




30 




31 




32 




33 




34 


Texas . 


35 




36 


Louisiana . 


37 




38 


South Dakota ' 


39 




40 




41 




42 




43 




44 




45 




46 




47 




48 




49 







1 statistics, 1909-10. 



2 Approximate. 



28 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

I. Compulsory attendance in the United 



states. 



Com 

pulsory 



Annual iDeriod of 
reauired attendance. 



Reasons for exemption. 



Alabama. 

Arizona 

Seh. Laws, 1912, 



Arkansas 

Seh. Laws, 1911. 



18-16 



California 

Seh. Laws, 1911. 



Colorado 

Seh. Laws, 1912. 



Connecticut 

Seh. Laws, 1912. 



Delaware 

Seh. Laws, 1909. 



Dist. Columbia 

U. S. Stat. L., vol. 34, 
Pt. J, 1905-1907. 



Florida 

Georgia 

Hawaii 

Seh. Laws, 1911 

Idaho 

Seh. Laws, 1911 



Illinois 

Seh. Laws, 1912. 



8-16 



7-16 






6-16 



7-16 



No compulsory law 

Full time public school 
is in session. 



Not less than one-half 
the time public 
school is in session. 



Full time public 
schoois are m session. 



Entire time public 
schools are m ses- 



Full time the public 
school is in session. 



5 months each year; 
may be reduced to 3 
at the annual meet- 



During entire term. 



No compulsory law. 
do 



Entire school year. 



Entire time school is 
in session; not less 
than 6 months. 



(1) Physical or mental incapacity as declared 
by a competent physician approved by the 
board; (2) completion of grammar-school 
course; (3) employment certificate issued to 
a chUd 14 years of age who can read and 
write. 

(1 ) If parent is not able to provide proper cloth- 
ing; (2) if child is physically or rrientally in- 
capacitated; (3) if there is no public school 
within 2h miles; (4) if the labor of the ehUd is 
absolutely necessary for the support of the 
family; (5) if the child has completed a com- 
mon-school course. 
Lav7 does not apply to 41 counties. 

(1) If child is physically or mentally incapaci- 
tated; (2) if child is between 12 and 15 and 
holds a work certificate; (3) if no public 
school IS withm 2 miles cf cliili'c rssidence; 
(4) it the chi'd has completed the grammar- 
school course; (5) if circumstances render 
attendance impracticable or dangerous xo 
health. 



(1) If child is over 14 and has completed the 
eighth grade; (2) if his help is necessary for 
his own or nis parents' support; (3) if for the 
best interests oi the child; (4) bodily or men- 
tal incapacity. 



(1) If child is lawfully employed at labor at 
home or elsewhere; (2; If parent is unable to 
provide suitable clothiag; (3) if the child's 
mental or physical condition is such as to 
render its instruction inexpedient or im- 
practicable. 



(1) Mental, physical, or other urgent reasons 
approved by the county superintendent; 
(2) if there be no public school in session 
within 2 miles. 



(1) Has acquired common-school branches; 
(2) physical or mental incapacity. 



(1; >Jo school within 4 miles and no suitable 
transportation; (2) physical or mental inca- 
pacity; (3; completion of grammar grades 
and 13 years old; (4) 15 years old and em- 
ployed." 

(1) If child is over 14 years of age and has com- 
pleted the eignth grade, and its heip is neces- 
sary for its own or its parents' support, and 
it can be shown that it is for the best interest 
of the chEd; (2) if the child's health does not 
permit attendance. 

(1) If cnild's physical or mental condition ren- 
ders attendance impracticable; (2) if child 
is excused lor cause temporarily; (3) if be- 
tween 14 and 16 and necessarily employed. 



1 16-20. if not regularly employed. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 

States — Ages, period required, exemptions, etc. 



29 



Relief to children un- 
able to attend on 
account of poverty. 



Part-time instruction for 
children employed. 



Instruction authorized in 
lieu of public schools. 



Compulsory education 
for deaf, dumb, and 
blind children . 



School board shall fiu'- 
nish books. 



Traant officers shall 
report such cases to 
authorities charged 
with relief of the 
poor vfho snail af- 
ford suitable reiief. 



Where there is no public 
or parochial evening 
school, an age and 
school certificate for a 
child under 16 shall 
uoc De approved un- 
less said child can read 
at sight and write legi- 
bly simple sentences. 

No person between 14 
and IG who can not 
read and write shall be 
employed in any town 
where public evening 
schools are established 
unless he attends 
evening school. 



Private and parochial 
schools regularly organ- 
ized and taught by com- 
petent teachers. Home 
instniction under com- 
petent teacher in com- 
mon-school branches. 

Private, parochial, or par- 
ish schools not less than 
one-half the time the 
public schools are in 
session. 



Private schools giving in- 
struction in branches 
usually taught in pri- 
mary and grammar 
schools; home instruc- 
tion in common-school 
branches. 



Privats or parochial ?chool 
for the entu-e time dur- 
ing which the public 
schools are in session. 



Instniction in the studies 
taught in the public 
schools. Teacher shall 
keep a register of attend- 
ance, open to inspection, 
and shall make reports 
to the State board of 
education. 

Private school for the com- 
pulsory period, legally 
qualified private teach- 
er, or other means ap- 
proved by county su- 
perintendent. 

Instruction in same 
branches for a like pe- 
riod of time as ia the 
public schools. A cerl i- 
flcate of attendance 
signed by the person in 
charge of such schools is 
requu'cd. 



Private school . 



Private or parochial 
school; the same period 
as the public-school ses- 
sion. 



Private school, at least C 
months; instruction for 
a like period in the ele- 
mentary branches by a 
competent person. 



Parents of deaf, dumb, 
or blind children must 
send them to suitable 
school for a term of 5 
years, unless excused 
by the board of trus- 
tees for physical incar 
pacity. The board of 
education may estab- 
lish separate classes ia 
the primary and gi'am- 
mar grades for deaf 
children between 3 and 
21 if there are 5 or more 
in the oistriet. 



30 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

I. Compulsory attendance in the United States — ■ 



states. 


Com- 
pulsory 
age. 


Annual period of 
required attendance. 


Reasons for exemption. 




17-14 

7-16 
8-15 

{') 

8-16 
7-15 

3 8-14 

4 7-14 


For a term not less 
than that of public 
school. 

At least 24 consecu- 
tive weeks, com- 
mencing with the 
first week of school 
after the 1st day of 
September. 

Full period school is 
in session. 

Full period pubUc 
schools are in session. 

■Rnll timfl 


Physically or mentally incompetent, upon 
certifleate of a reputable physician. 

(1) If child lives more than 2 miles from any 
school, unless transported free; (2) if excused 
for sufflcient reasons by any court of record; 
(3) if attending religious service or receiving 
religious instruction. 

(1) Any child 14 years of age able to read and 
write and regularly employed is not required 
to attend for more than 8 consecutive weeks 
in one year; (2) if child has graduated from 
the common schools; (3) if physically or 
mentally incapacitated. 

(1) Unfit mentally and physically to attend 
school, upon certificate of health officer; (2) 
over 14 and lawfully employed. 

(1) If bodily or mental condition of child is such 
as to render attendance inadvisable; (2) com- 
pletion of the prescribed elementary course; 
(3) no pubUc school within 20 blocks of cnild's 
home; (4) over 14 and regularly employed 
for 6 hours a day. 

(1) Necessary absence may be excused by the 
superintendent of schools or the superintend- 
ing school committee; (2) physical or mental 
unfitness for school work. 

(1) Cases of necessary absence may be excused 
by superintendent or principal; (2) mentally 
and physically mcompetent; (3) shall apply 
only to those counties where the board of 
coimty commissioners shall approve the same 
and appoint an attendance ofticer; (4) law is 
mandTatory in Baltimore city only; 6 coun- 
ties are exempt; other counties may adopt 
law. 

(1) School authorities may excuse necessary 
absences; (2) if child has already acquired 
branches required by law; (3) physically or 
mentally incompetent. 


Sess. Laws, 19i;i 


Sess. Laws, 1913. 
Sell. Laws, 1911. 

Kansas 


Sch. Laws, 1911. 
Kentucky 


Sch. Laws, 1912. 
Louisiana 


(Parish of Orleans 

only.) 
Sch. Laws, 1912. 

Maine 


Time school is in ses- 
sion. 

Not less than 4 months ; 
entire school session 
in Baltimore. 

Entire time public day 
schools are in session. 


Sell. Laws, 1913. 


Sch. Laws, 1912. 


Sch. Laws, 1911. 



lAnd 14-16, If not employed. 



2 7-16 in cities; 7-12 in country districts. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 

Ages, period required, exemptions, etc. — Contiiuied. 



31 



Relief to children un- 
able to attend on 
account of poverty. 



The school trustees of 
the district shall hrr- 
nish temporary aid. 



Truant officers in cit- 
ies and overseers of 
the poor in towns 
shall provide for the 
temporary care of in- 
digent children un- 
der 16. Such chil- 
dren may be placed 
in the care of a suita- 
ble person or com- 
mitted to the custo- 
dy of the State 
board of charitv. 



Part-time instruction for 
children employed. 



If vocational schools are 
established for chil- 
dren over 14 who are 
engaged in regular em- 
ployment, the board 
of education may re- 
quire attendance not 
less than 5 hours per 
week. 



White pubUc evening 
school is maLntained, 
any minor over 14 who 
can not read and write 
shall not be employed 
unless he is a regular 
attendant at such 
evening school, unless 
physical condition wiU 
not permit such at- 
tendance m addition 
to daily labor. 



Instruction authorized in 
lieu of public schools. 



Private or parochial school 
for a period equal to that 
of the public school. 



Private or parochial school 
where the common- 
school branches are 
taught for at least 24 con- 
secutive weeks. Equiva- 
lent instruction by a 
competent teacher. 

Private, denominational, 
or paiochial school 
taught by a competent 
instructor. 



Private or parochial school 
for no shorter period 
than that of the citj- in 
which the child resides. 
Home instruction sub- 
ject to the same exam- 
inations as other pupils 
of the city. 

Private or parochial school 
during the time the pub- 
lic schools of the city are 
in session. Instruction 
at home in the common 
branches. 

An approved private 
school; certificate of at- 
tendance must be filed 
with the school officials 
of the town. Equiva- 
lent instruction else- 
where. 

Schools other than public, 
during term of compul- 
sory attendance. 



School committees shall 
approve a private school 
only when the instruc- 
tion in all the studies re- 
quii'ed by law is m the 
English "language, and 
when such instruction 
equals the public schools 
in the same city or town. 



Compulsory education 
for deaf, dumb, and 
blind children. 



Any blind or deaf child 
between 8 and 16 who 
can not secuie au edu- 
cation in the public 
schools of the district 
must attend the Indi- 
ana School for the 
Bliad or the Indiana 
School for the Deaf. 



Every person having con- 
trol of any deaf, dumb, 
or blind child between 
the ages of 7 and 21 
years, inclusive, shall 
send such child to some 
suitable school. 



Everv deaf and blind 
child between 6 and 16 
is required to attend 
some school for the deaf 
or blind for 8 months, 
unless receiving in- 
struction elsewhere. 



No physical or mental 
condition which is cap- 
able of correction, or 
which renders tbe child 
a fit subject for special 
instruction at public 
charge in institutions 
other than public day 
schools, shall avail as a 
defense. 



3 14-16 if not employed. 



* And 14-16 if not at)le to read and write. 



32 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

I. Compulsory attendance in the United States — ■ 



States. 


Com- 
pulsory 
age. 


Annual period of 
required attendance. 


Reasons for exemption. 


Micliigan 


7-16 


During the entire 
school term. 


(1) If child has received an eighth-grade diploma 
from the public schools; (2)if child is physi- 
cally unable to attend school; if over 14 and 
services are essential to the support of parents ; 
(4) if child is under 9 and does not reside 
within 2J miles of some public school; (.5) 
childrea from 12 to 14 while in attendance at 
confirmation classes for a period not to ex- 
ceed 5 months in either of said years. 


Sell. Laws, 1911. 


Minnesota...,.,... 

Sch. Laws, 1911. 

Mississippi 

Missouri 


8-16 



'8-14 


Entire time public 
schools are in session. 

None. 


(1) Bodily or mental condition such as to pre- 
vent attendance or application to study; (2) 
completion of the eighth grade; (3) no pub- 
lic school withm reasonable distance, or con- 
ditions of the weather make impossible for 
child to attend; (4) if child is over 14 whose 
help may be required at home, he may be 
excused from Apr. 1 to Nov. 1 ; this does not 
apply to cities of the first or second class ; (5) 
may be absent on such days as child attends 
upon instruction according to the ordinances 
of some church. 


Not less than three- 
foiirths of the entire 
time school which 
the child attends is 


(1) Extreme destitution of parent; (2) child 
mentally or physically incapacitated; (3) no 
public school within 2J miles; (4) comple- 
tion of comm.on-school course. 


Sch. Laws, 1911. 






m session. 




Montana 


18-14 


Pull time of school 
session (not less 
than 16 weeks). 


(11 J f bodily or mental condition of child does 
not permit its attendance; (2) if in opinion 
of county superintendent the distance is 
too great. 


Sch. Laws, 1913. 


Nebraska 


7-15; 7- 
16 in 
cities 


Not less than two- 
thirds of entire time 
school is in session; 
not less than 12 
weeks. 


(1) If 14 and regularly employed to support 
himself or family; (2) incapacitated bodily 
and mentally; (3) if there is no school within 
2 miles, unless free transportation is provided. 


Sch. Laws, 1911. 




8-16... 
8-14 2.. 


During time public 
school is in session. 

Full time public school 
is in session. 


(1) PhysicaUy or mentally incompetent; (2) 
completed the eighth grade; (3 ) if the child's 
labor is necessary for its own or its parents' 
support; (4) if child's residence is atsueh dis- 
tance from the public school as to render at- 
tendance unpracticable. 

(1) PhysicaUy or mentally incompetent; (2) 
completion of the common English branches. 


Sch. Laws, 1911. 

New Hampshire 

Sch. Laws, 1911. 



1 And 14-16 if not regularly employed. 



2 14-16 if not able to read and write. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 

Ages, period required, exemptions, etc. — ^Continued. 



33 



Relief to children un- 
able to attend on 
account of poverty. 


Part-time instruction for 
children employed. 


Instruction authorized in 
lieu of public schools. 


Compulsory education 
for deaf, dumb, and 
blind children. 


If parents can not sup- 
port a child of com- 
pulsory age, the 
board of education 
may grant such re- 
lief as will enable 
the chUd to attend 
school. Not more 
than $3 a week shall 
be paid a family for 
one child nor more 
than $6 a week for 
the children of any 
one family. 




Private or parochial school 
in which the common- 
school branches are 
taught. 

Private school for the en- 
tii-e time the public 
schools are in session. 


Parents having control 




of deaf children be- 
tween 7 and 18 must 
send them to some 
school for the deaf. 
Any children lietween 
7 and 19 with defective 
vision must be sent to 
the Michigan School 
for the Blind unless 
the child is educated 
in a private or paro- 
chial school, or is phys- 
ically or mentally in- 
competent, or if over 
17 is being taught a 
trade, or if over 18 is 
employed at the Michi- 
gan School for the 
Blind. 












Private, parochial, or pas- 
ish school for not less 
than three-fom'ths of the 
time the school which 
the child attends is in 
session. 

Private or parochial school 
for time said school is 
in session; not less than 
16 weeks; instruction 
at home by qualified 
teacher. 

Private or parochial school, 
the authorities of which 
shall keep records. In- 
struction at home by 
qualified person. 

Private school; home in- 
struction in public school 
branches. 

Private school approved 
by the scliool board for 
a number of weeks equal 
to that in which the pub- 
lic scliools are in session. 
Record of attendance 
shall be kept. 




The poor authorities 
shall furnish mdi- 
gent children neces- 
saries to attend 
school. If parent re- 
fuses aid, the child 
may be committed 
to the industrial 
school. 




All deaf and bluid chil- 


A child 14 years of age 
employed may be re- 
quired to attend a pub- 
lic evening school for 
not less than 2 hours a 
day, 3 days a week, for 
20 weeks. 


dren of lawful school 
age shall be sent to the 
Institute for Deaf and 
Blind 6 months of 
each school year for a 
period of S years or 
until exempt by law, 
unless taught in same 
branches at some place. 
AU blind, deaf and 




dumb persons between 
the ages of 7 and 18 
years are required to 
attend the institute for 
the blind or the scliool 
for the deaf, unless re- 
ceiving instruction else- 
where. 












~ 



14426°— 14- 



34 



COMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

I. Compulsory attendance in the United States- 



States. 


Com- 
pulsory 
age. 


Annual period of 
required attendance. 


Reasons for exemption. 




7-141.. 
7-14 .. 


Entire time public 
school is in session. 

do 


( 1 ) If above 15 and has completed the grammar- 
school course and is regularly employed. If 
child be under 17 and has completed the 
grammar-school course and is not regularly 
employed such child shall attend high school 
or manual-training school; (2) bodily or 
mental incapacity; (3) if above 14 and it is 
necessary for the child to be employed. 

(1) Physical unfitness, certified by a regular 
practicing physician; (2) if child lives more 
than 3 miles from a public school. 

(1) If over 14 and an employment certificate 
has been granted; (2) physical or mental in- 
capacity. 

(1) Physically or mentally incompetent as at- 
tested by a legally quaUfled physician; (2) 
if child resides 2J miles from a public school; 
(3) if, because of extreme poverty, the serv- 
ices of the child are necessary; (4) if the pa- 
rent is not able to provide books or clothing. 

(1) If necessary for the child to support the 
family; (2) completion of branches taught in 
the public schools; (3) physical or mental 
condition such as to render attendance im- 
practicable; (4) if there is no school within 2i 
miles, except where transportation is fur- 
nished for pupils residing within 5 miles. 

Physically or mentally incompetent 


Seh. Laws, 1911; Sess. 
Laws, 1913. 


Sch. Laws, 1909. 


7-14 2. . 

8-12... 
8-15... 

8-15 3. . 


In cities at least 160 
actual days. In 
other districts time 
school is in session 
from Oct. 1 to June 1. 

4 months 


Sch. Laws, 1912; Sess. 
Laws, 1913. 


Sess. Laws, 1913. 
North Dakota 


Entire time public 
schools are in session. 

Full time; in no ease 
less than 28 weeks. 


Sch. Laws, 1911. 
Ohio 


Sess. Laws, 1913; Gen- 
eral Statutes, 1910. 





lAnd 14-16 unless child attended 130 days during preceding year and has completed 5 five grades. 
2 And 14-16 if not regularly employed. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 

Ages, period required, exemptions, etc. — Continued. 



35 



Relief to children un- 
able to attend on 
account of poverty. 



Part-time instruction for 
children employed. 



Every boy between 14 
and 16 in a city of the 
fust or second class 
having an employment 
certificate but not hav- 
ing completed the 
course of study for the 
elementary schools, 
shall attend public or 
other evening schools 
for not less than 6 hours 
each week for at least 
16 weeks, or upon a 
trade school for 8 hours 
a week for 16 weeks. 



School board must fm-- 
nish such relief as 
may be necessary. 



Instruction authorized in 
lieu of public schools. 



Any school in which at 
least the common school 
branches are taught 



May attend private or de- 
nominational school if 
the teaching is equal to 
that of the public school 
of the district. 



Instruction elsewhere 
equivalent to that given 
in the public schools; 
attendance must be for a 
like period. 



Continuous attendance 
upon any private or 
church school taught by 
conipetent teachers. 
Said schools must keep 
records. 

Private or parochial school 
approved by the county 
superintendent , teaching 
common-school branches. 



If the board of education Private or parochial school 
establishes part-time for the fuU. time school is 
day school for the in- in session : in no case for 
struction of employed for less than 2S weeks 
youths over 15, sucli Instruction at home by 
youths who have not a qualified person, 
completed the eighth 
grade must continue 
their schooling until 
16. If regularly em- 
ployed they are re- 
quired to attend not 
more than 8 hours a 
week between 8 a. m. 
and .5 p. m during the 
school term. 

8 Females, 8-16; males, S-IS; and 8-16 it not employed 



Compulsory education 
for deaf, dumb, and 
blind children. 



In each school district 
where there are 10 or 
more blind or deaf 
children who are not 
now cared for or who 
can not be cared for m 
any institution a special 
class or classes shall be 
organized for their edu- 
cation. 

Attendance is required 
at New Mexico asylum 
of all deaf and dumb 
children between 8 and 
21. County superin- 
tendent shall report all 
such children to the su- 
perintendent of the 
asylum. 



Every parent or other 
person having control 
of any deal, blind, or 
feeble-minded child be- 
tween 7 and 21 is re- 
quired to send for 
school year such deaf 
child to the school for 
the deaf at Devils 
Lake; and such bUnd 
child to the school for 
the blind at Bathgate, 
and such feeble-mind- 
ed child to the institu- 
tion at Grafton 



36 



COMPULSOKY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

I. Compulsory attendance in the United 8 tates- 



States. 



Com 
pulsory 



Annual period of 
required attendance. 



Reasons for exemption. 



Oklahoma 

Sch. Laws, 1912. 



Oregon 

Sch. Laws, 1911. 



8-16. . . 



9-15.. 



Pennsylvania 

Sch. Laws, 1911. 



Porto Rico 

Sch. Laws, 1911. 
Rhode Island 

Sch. Laws, 1910. 



South CaroUna 

South Dakota 

Sch. Laws, 1911. 



8-14.. 
7-15.. 



8-14 



Tennessee 

Sess. Laws, 1913. 



18-14 



Texas 

Utah 

Sch. Laws, 1911; Sess. 
Laws, 1907. 



8-16 



From 3 to 6 months in 
the discretion of the 
board. 



Term of district. 



Entire public school 
term. May be re- 
duced by the board 
of school dii-ectors to 
not less than 70 per 
cent of school term. 



Fulltime. 



Entire time public 
schools are in session. 



No compulsory law . . . 

Entire term pubUe 
schools are in ses- 
sion; district board 
may decrease to 16 
weeks, 12 consecu- 
tive. 



80 consecutive days, or 
full term if term is 
less than 80 days. 
Full term in sepa- 
rate school systems 
having a population 
of 5,000. 

No compulsory law. 

At least 20 weeks, 10 
consecutive. In cit- 
ies of first and sec- 
ond class 30 weeks, 
10 consecutive. 



(1) Mental or physical disability; (2) proficient 
in the standard studies; (3) employment 
upon certificate. 



(1) Physically or mentally incompetent; (2) 
children between 9 and 10 Uvtng 1 J mUes and 
children over 10 living more than 3 miles 
from a public school; (3) completion of com- 
mon-school branches. 



(1) Mental, physical, or other urgent reasons; 
(2) if child between 14 and 16 can read and 
write intelligently and is regularly employed. 



(1) Completionofeoui-se of study; (2)no school 
within reasonable distance. 

(1) Completion of studies taught in the first 8 
years in public schools; (2) 14 years of age and 
lawfully employed; (3) physically or men- 
tally incompetent. 



CI) Completion of common school branches; 
(2) physically or mentally incompetent. 



(1) Extreme destitution of parents; (2) men- 
tally or physically incapacitated; (3) no 
school within 2 miles of child's residence 
and pubhc transportation not provided; 
(4) completion of elementary school course. 



(1) Completion of branches taught in the dis- 
trict schools; (2) physically or mentally in- 
competent; (3) no school within 2J miles of 
child's residence; (4) services necessary to 
support a mother or an invalid father. 



1 And 14-16 if not employed and unable to read and write. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 
Ages, jjeriod required, exemptions, etc. — Continued. 



37 



Relief to children un- 
able to attend on 
account of poverty. 


Part-time instruction for 
children employed. 


Instruction authorized in 
lieu of public schools. 


Compulsory education 
for deaf, dumb, and 
blind children. 


If any widowed mother 
needs the support of 
her child under 16, 
on certificate of the 
county superintend- 
ent the county com- 
missioners may pay 
to child such sum as 
may be necessary in 
lieu of wages. 




Private or other schools for 
same term as public 
schools. 

• 

Private or parochial school 
for same period as 
public school. Instruc- 
tion from parent or pri- 
vate teacher, with per- 
mission from county su- 
perintendent. 

Private school, whose work 
is in corsipliance with the 
provisions of the com- 
pulsory attendance act. 
Instruction by properly 
qualified private teacher. 

Any school of recognized 
standing. 

A private school or private 
mstruction, if school com- 
mittee are satisfied that 
such instruction is sub- 
stantially equal to that 
requhed by law. 






Deaf, dumb, and blind 
children between 8 and 
16 are required to at- 
tend one of the State 
institutions, unless 
taught elsewhere. 


If anychild is unable to 
attend school on ac- 
count of lack of cloth- 
ing or food , such case 
shall be reported to 
any suitable relief 
agency or to the 
proper directors of 
the poor for investi- 
gation and relief. 


















dumb children between 
7 and 18 at Rhode 
Island Institute for the 
Deaf is compulsory un- 
less the child is receiv- 
ing instruction else- 
where. 


. 




Instruction by a compe- 
tent person "at a private 
day school for the period 
the public schools are in 
session. 

Private or parochial school. 


Whenever any deaf or 
blind child of proper 
age is being deprived 
of proper education, 
the coimty judge shall 
order such child sent 
to some public or pri- 
vate school for the 
education of the deaf 
or blind. Every 
county superintend- 
ent or city superin- 
tendent shall send the 
names of all deaf and 
blind children to the 
superintendent of such 
schools. 
















Private school for time 
fixed by law. Home in- 
struction in branches 
and for period fixed by 
law. 


Parents having control 
of deaf, dumb, and 
blind children between 
8 and 18 shall send 
them to the Utah 
School for the Deaf 
and the Utah School 
for the Blind for at 
least 6 months in each 
year imless taught at 
home or unless they 
have acquired the legal 
branches or are physi- 
cally or mentally "in- 
competent. 







38 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

I. Compulsory attendance in the United States — ■ 



States. 


Com- 
pulsory 
age. 


Amiual period of 
required attendance. 


Reasons for exemption. 


Vermont 


8-16 

8-12 

1 8-15 

8-15 

2 7-14 

7-14 


At least 150 days; for 
entire term if longer 
than 150 days. If 
child over 16 is en- 
rolled in a public 
scfiool, it must at- 
tend regularly. 

At least 12 weeks, 
consecutive. 

Full time pubhc school 
is in session. 

24 weeks, beginning 
with the opening of 
school. 

In cities of first class, 
full period; in all 
other cities not less 
than 8 months; in 
towns and villages, 
not less than 6 
months. 

Entire time public 
school is in session. 


(1) Physically or mentally incompetent; (2) 
completion of branches taught in the elemen- 
tary schools; (3) if legally excused. 

(1) District school trustees may excuse for 
cause; (2) weak in body and mind; (3) can 
read and write; (4) Uves more than 2 miles 
from the nearest public school or more than 

1 mile from line of school wagon route; (5) 
act does not apply to any county, city, or 
town until quahfied voters avail themselves 
of the pro\dsions thereof. 

(1) Physically and mentally incompetent; (2) 
reasonable proficiency in branches taught in 
the first S grades of the public schools. 

(1) Sickness or death in pupil's family; (2) 
other reasonable cause; (3) no school within 

2 miles. 

(1) Physically or mentally incompetent; (2) 
no schoolhouse within 2 miles, unless trans- 
portation is provided; (3) completion of 
course of study for first 8 grades. 

(1) Invalids or others to whom the schoolroom 
might be injurious; (2) pupils to whom the 
provisions of this act might work a hardship, 
excuse to be granted by district board; (3) 
pupils excluded for legal reasons. 


Sch. Laws, 1912. 
Virginia 


Sch. Laws, 1911. 
Washington 


Sch. Laws, 1909; Sess. 
Laws, 1909. 

West Virginia 


Sch. Laws, 1911. 


Sch. Laws, 1911. 


Sch. Laws, 1913. 



1 And 15-16 if not regularly employed. 



II. Compulsory attendance — Officers, 



States. 


• Ofiicers charged 
with enforcement. 


Powers and duties of 
truant officers. 


By whom 
officers are 
appointed. 


Truant and parental 
schools— Establishment. 




Deputy sheriff, 
constable, city 
marshal, or at- 
tendance ofiicer. 

Attendance offi- 
cers. 


Inquire into all cases 
of neglect of duties; 
secure prosecution. 

Serve notice upon par- 
ents; arrest without 
warrant; serve sub- 
poenas. 






Sch. Laws, 
1912. 

Arkansas 

Sch. Laws, 
1911. 


Board of edu- 
cation. 


In any city or district 
having 10,000 or more 
population the board 
may establish truant 
schools. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 

Ages, period required, exemptions, etc. — -Continued. 



39 



Relief to children un- 
able to attend on 
account of poverty. 



Part-time instruction for 
children employed. 



Two weeks' attendance 
at half-time or night 
school shaU be consid- 
ered equivalent to an 
attendance of one week 
at a day school. 



Whenever any evening 
school or continuation 
school is established in 
any town for minors 
between 14 and 16 

. working under permit, 
every such chUd shall 
attend not less than 5 
hours per week for 6 
months in each year. 
Every employer is re- 
quired to make a re- 
duction in hours of not 
less than the number 
of hours the minor is 
required to attend 
school. 



Instruction authorized in 
lieu of public schools. 



Otherwise furnished the 
instruction required by 
law. 



Private school . 



Private school for time 
public schools are in ses- 
sion. 



Instructed elsewhere if 
thoroughly and system- 
atically for legal pe- 
riod of time. 

Approved private or paro- 
chial schools, keeping a 
record of attendance 
open to the inspection 
of the truant officer. 



Private or parochial school 
for period public schools 
are in session. 



Compulsory education 
for deaf, dumb, and 
blind children. 



- And 14-16 if not regularly employed. 
parental schools, penalties, etc. 



Board of civil authority 
of towns must return 
the number of deaf, 
dumb, and blind be- 
tween 5 and 14 to the 
county clerk and he 
report to the governor, 
who designates bene- 
ficiaries to be sent to 
institutions for the 
deaf, dumb, and blind. 



Parents of the deaf or 
blind are required to 
send them each year 
to the State school for 
the deaf and the 
blind. 



Upon application by the 
board of education of 
any village or city to 
the State superintend- 
ent he may grant per- 
mission to establish 
and maintain one or 
more schools for the 
deaf and blind. Any 
parent having a child 
between 6 and 16 in- 
capacitated for attend- 
ing a common school 
shall send such child 
to some special school 
for at least 8 months 
during any school year. 



Period of com- 
mitment of 
child. 



Penalties for violations. 



Parent, $5 to $25; offi- 
cers not more than 



Parent, $10 to $25 . 



Census. 



Census marshal shall 
take census of all 
children, showing 
numbers attending 
public school, pri- 
vate school, and no 
school. Required to 
visit each house. 



Teachers reports of 
absence. 



40 



OOMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

II. Compulsory attendance — Officers, 



Officers charged 
with enforcement. 



Pov/ers and duties of 
truant officers. 



By whom 
officers are 
appointed. 



Truant and parental 
schools — Establishment. 



California 

Sch. Laws, 
1911. 



Colorado 

Sch. Laws 
1912. 



Attendance officer, 
board of educa- 
tion, or board of 
trustees; 1 at- 
tendance officer 
required for each 
20,000 census 
children in any- 
city. 

Truant officer 



Connecticut 

Sch. Laws, 
1912. 



Delaware 

Sch. Laws, 
1909. 



Dist. Columbia. . 
U. S. Stat. L., 
vol. 34, Part 
1, 1905-1907. 



Florida. 
Georgia. 



Hawaii 

Sch. Laws, 
1911. 



Idaho 

Sch. Laws, 
1911. 



Truant officers, the 
police in cities, 
and bailiffs, con- 
stables, and 
sheriffs. 



Attendance officer. 



Truant officers . 



None 

do 

Deputy sheriff. 



Illinois 

Sch. Laws, 
1912. 



Probation officer . . 



Truant officers . . . 



"Vested with police 
powers, authority to 
enter factories, etc.,. 
where children are 
employed; shall in- 
stitute proceedings 
against violators; 
shall keep a record 
of his transactions; 
shall petition the 
county; court to in- 
quhe into cases of 
habitual truancy. 

Police, bailiffs, con- 
stables, and sheriffs 
shall arrest all boys 
between 7 and IG 
who habitually wan- 
der about the streets 
or loiter in public 

g laces during school 
ours and may ques- 
tion any boy under 
10 during such 
hours. 
Arrest without war- 
rant those who fail 
to attend school; 
proceed against of- 
fending parents. 



Carry out provision of 
this act; visit places 
where minor child- 
ren are employed; 
demand as often as 
twice a year from all 
employers a list of 
children employed, 
with their ages. 

No compulsory law 



Board of edu- 
cation. 



Board of school 
directors. 



By every town 
and the 
mayor and 
alderman of 
every city. 



Board of edu- 
cation and 
school com- 
mittees. 



Board of edu- 
cation. 



Board of education of any 
school district having 
600 census children 
may establish paren- 
tal schools; two or 
more districts may 
unite. 



Shall be established in 
each city having 
100,000 inhabitants or 
more; may be estab- 
lished in cities having 
a population between 
25,000 and 100,000. 
Parent and guardian 
must bear cost of 
maintenance. 



Any habitual truant 
may be committed to 
any institution of in- 
struction or correction 
in the city, borough, 
or town, or if the child 
be not less than 10, to 
a State institution. 



Truant and incorrigible 
pupils may be sen- 
tenced for a definite 
time to proper State 
institution. 



Board of education may 
establish ungraded 
schools for habitual 
truants or for incorri- 
gibles. 



.do. 



Visit not less than 
once each week each 
public school to se- 
cure the names of 
children absenting 
themselves. 

Serve notice upon par- 
ents to place such 
children in school as 
been reported by the 
county superintend- 
ent. 

Report all violations 
to the board of edu- 
cation, enter com- 
plaint against and 
prosecute all persons 
who appear guilty 
of such violation, 
arrest truants and 
any child of school 
age that habitually 
haimts public places. 



Probate courts 



Board of edu- 
cation. 



In cities having 100,000 
population or more, 
one or more truant 
schools shall be estab- 
lished; may be estab- 
lished in cities having 
25,000 to 100,000 popu- 
lation. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 

•parental schools, penalties, He. — Continued. 



41 



Period of com- 
mitment of 
child. 


Paroles. 


Penalties for violations. 


Census. 


Teachers' reports of 
absence. 


Not to exceed 
remain d e r 
of current 
year. 


Parent may 
give bond 
that child 
will attend 
regularly. 


Parent, not more than 
$10 for first offense or 
imprisonment not 
more than 5 days; 
not less than $10 for 
each subsequent of- 
fense, or imprison- 
ment 5 to 25 days. 










Until 14 years 
of age un- 
less sooner 
discharged. 


Board of edu- 
cation shall 
e s t a b 1 i sh 
rules, but no 
child may 
be paroled in 
less than 4 
weeks of 
commit- 
ment. 




Secretary of board of 
directors shall take a 
census of all persons 
over 6 and under 21. 








Notmorethan 
3 years. 




Parent, fine not to ex- 
ceed $5; each week's 
failure is a distinct 
offense. 


Committee of each 
school district shall 
ascertain the name 
and age of every 
person over 4 and 
under 16, and 
whether attending 
school or employed. 












Parent, not more than 
$2 for first offense, 
nor more than $5 for 
each subsequent of- 
fense. 

Parent, not more than 
$20. 


Assessors make a list 
of all children be- 
tween 7 and 14. 


Each teacher at the 


Until satisfac- 
tory evi- 
dence of im- 
provement. 




close of each school 
month shall report to 
the attendance officer 
and the county su- 
perintendent the 
names of all absen- 
tees. 












Parent, $5 to $50 or 
Imprisonment not 
more than 2 months. 


















Parent, fine not to ex- 
ceed $300 or impris- 
onment not exceed- 
ing 6 months. 

Parents, $5 to $20, 
with cost of suit. 


Clerk of board of trus- 
tees required to enu- 
merate all children 
8-lS; teachers shall 
check enrollment list 
against census list. 


At the beginning of 


May be com- 
mitted un- 
till4. 


No child shall 
be paroled in 
less than 4 
weeks of 
date of com- 
mitment. 


each month teachers 
shall report to the 
county superintend- 
ent all unlawful ab- 
sentees of the pre- 
vious month. 







42 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

II. Compulsory attendance — Officers, 



states. 


Officers charged 


Powers and duties of 


By whom 
officers are 
appointed. 


Truant and parental 


with enforcement. 


truant officers. 


schools— Establishment. 


Indiana 


Truant officers 


May enter any place 
where children are 


County school 
board or 


All common school cor- 
porations are empow- 


Sch. Laws, 


1913. 




employed to deter- 


boards of 


ered to maintain a 






mine whether they 


separate 


separate school for in- 






are employed in vio- 


districts 


corrigible and truant 






lation of the child- 


and cities. 


children. Any habit- 






labor law; enforce 




ual truant may be 






the provisions of the 




sentenced to one of 






compulsory school 




the State institutions 






act. 




for boys or girls. 


Iowa 


Truant officers; 
board of direc- 


Enforce the compul- 
sory school law, sue. 


Board of di- 
rectors. 


Board of directors of any 
school c r p ration 


Sch. Laws, 


1911; Sess. 


tors. In school 


and institute crimi- 




may establish truant 


Laws, 1913. 


corporations of 


nal proceedings 




schools or set apart 




20,000 or more 


against violators. 




separate rooms for ha- 




the board of di- 






bitual truants. If 




rectors shall ap- 






child is habitually va- 




point one or 






grant or incorrigible. 




more truant offi- 






he may be committed 




cers, and in 






to one of the State 




other school 






industrial schools. 




corporations 










they may ap- 










point truant 










officers. 








Kansas 


Truant officers 


Shall see that the pro- 
visions of compul- 


Boards of ed- 
ucation La 




Sch. Laws, 




1911. 




sory attendance act 
are observed; serve 
notices upon delin- 
quent parents and 
make complaints, if 
necessary, in juve- 
nile court. 


cities of first 
and second 
class. Coun- 
ty superin- 
tendents 
shall divide 
coimtiesinto 
truant dis- 
tricts, and 
the board of 
county com- 
mission ers 
shall, upon 
the nomina- 
tion of the 
county su- 
p e r intend- 
ent, appoint 
a truant offi- 
cer for each 
district. 




Kentucky 


Truant officers. 


In cities of the- first 


Board of edu- 


The school officials of 


Sch. Laws, 


In each city of 


class, must not en- 


cation. 


any city of the first or 


1912; Sess. 


the first, second, 


gage in any other 




second class may es- 


Laws, 1912. 


third, andfourth 


occupation during 




tablish one or more 




class at least 


time school is in ses- 




parental schools. 




1 for 10,000 cen- 


sion each year; 








sus children; 1 


shall examine into 








in each city with 


cases of truancy. 








less than 10,000 


serve notices on par- 








school census 


ents, proceed against 








children. 


delinquent children 
and parents, report 
all violations of the 
child-labor law. 






Louisiana 


Truant officers 


Have fuU police pow- 


Board of 




(For parish 




ers, authority to 


school direc- 




of Orleans.) 




serve warrants and 


tors. 




Sch. Laws, 




to enter factories 






1912. 




and other places 
where children may 
be employed; serve 
notice on parents, 
make complaint 
against parents in 
proper court. 







ATTENDANCE LAWS. 

parental schools, penalties, etc. — Continued. 



43 



Period of com- 
mitment of 


Paroles. 


Penalties for violations. 


Census. 


Teachers' reports of 


child. 








absence. 






Parent, $1 to $25 or 
imprisonment 2 to 


An annual school cen- 
sus is required; the 














90 days; attendance 


enumerators shall 








officers, S5 for each 


record place and 








failure. 


date of birth of 
every child enu- 
merated. 


« 






Parent, $3 to $20; any 
officer, $10 to $20. 


Officers taking school 
census shall ascer- 
















taia the number of 










children of ages 7 to 










16, inclusive in their 
respective districts, 


















the number of such 










children not attend- 










ing school, and if 










possible the cause of 










failure to attend 










school. 








Parent, $5 to $25 


The enumerator of the 
school census shall 


Every teacher is re- 
quired, before receiv- 












record the name, 


ing each month's 








place, and date of 


salary, to make a 








birth of every child 


report to the county 








enumerated 


superintendent or to 
the city superintend- 
ent of all pupils who 
have been truant or 
habitually absent 






• 




during the month 




Child may be 


Parent, $5 to $20 for 


Truant officers in cities 
of first, second, third, 


The principal of each 
school in cities of 




paroled sub- 


the first oflense, $10 




ject to the 


to $50 for every sub- 


and fourth class 


first, second, third, 




visitation of 


sequent offense, and 


shall furnish the 


or fourth class snail 




a probation 


cost of suit. 


principal of each 


report each day to 




officer; n o 




school a list of all 


the city superinten- 




child shall 




children between 7 


dent or a truant offi- 




be released 




and 17. 


cer all children ab- 




in less than 






sent without la\vful 




4 weeks nor 






excuse, Teac hers 




unless the 






shall report to sub- 




court is sat- 






district trustees and 




isfied that it 






to county board the 




will attend 






names of all parents 




school regu- 
larly. 






faiUng to comply 








with compulsory 










school law. 






Parent, not more than 
$5 for first oflense 


















nor more than $10 










for each subsequent 










oflense; in default of 










payment of fines. 










imprisonment not 










exceeding 5 days. 







44 



COMPTJLSOKY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 



TI. Compulsory attendance — Officers, 



states. 


Officers charged 


Powers and duties of 


By whom 
officers are 
appointed. 


Truant and parental 


with enforcement. 


truant officers. 


schools— E stablishment . 


Maine 


Truant oflcers 


Inquire into all cases 


Each city and 


On complaint of truant 


Sch. Laws, 




- of neglect of duty 


town shall 


officer an habitual tru- 


1911. 




on part of parents 


a n n u a lly 


ant, if a boy, may be 






in not keeping their 


elect one or 


conmaitted to the State 






children in school; 


more truaLt 


school for boys, or if a 






report result to the 


officers. 


girl, to the State indus- 






superintending 




trial school for girls. 






school committee; 










prosecute any per- 










son neglectiag to 










send his children to 










school, if so ordered 










by the school com- 










mittee or superin- 










tendent; arrest and 










take pupils irregular 










in attendance to 


, 








school, when di- 










rected by the school 










committee; may 










visit factories, etc., 










to ascertain whether 










minors under 15 are 










employed; may ex- 










ecute warrants. 






Maryland 


do 


To arrest without war- 


Boards of 


Parental schools may be 


Sch. Laws, 




rant any truant and 


school com- 


established for habit- 


1912. 




deliver truant to 
parent or teacher; 
visit all establish- 
ments where minors 
are employed. 


missioners. 


ual truants; 2 or more 
counties may jointly 
establish a parental 
school. 


Massachusetts 


do 


Inquhe into all cases 
arising imder the 


School com- 
mittees. 


Coimty commissioners 
of each county, with 


Sch. Laws, 




1911. 




compulsory attend- 
ance act; make com- 
plaints and serve 
legal processes re- 
lating to compul- 
sory school attend- 
ance; have oversight 
of children placed 
on probation; appre- 
hend and take to 
school, without war- 
rant, any truant or 
absentee. 




exception, are required 
either separately or 
jointly with the com- 
missioners of other 
counties to maintain 
a truant school. 


Michigan 


Truant officers; 


Have all the powers 


County com- 


May be established in 


Sch. Laws, 


police. 


of a deputy sheriff 


missioners 


graded or city district 


1911. 




and perform the du- 


of schools; 


by school board. Ev- 






ties of truant officer 


city boards 


ery boy between 10 






in all districts of the 


of education; 


and 16 and every girl 






county; coimty tru- 


boards in 


between 10 and 17 






ant officer, when di- 


graded 


convicted of habitual 






rected by the county 


school dis- 


truancy or of frequent- 






commissioner to do 


tricts. In 


ing disreputable places 






so, shall inspect the 


cities having 


may be committed to 






outhouses in pri- 


organized 


a State institution. 






mary districts and 


police force, 








order repairs. 


the police 
a u thorities 
shall detail 
one or more 
members at 
the request 
of school 
board as 
truant offi- 
cers. 





ATTENDANCE .LAWS. 

parental schools, penalties, etc. — Continued. 



45 



Period of com- 
mitment of 
child. 


Paroles. 


Penalties for violations. 


Census. 


Teachers' reports of 
absence. 






Parent, fine not to ex- 


Superintendent o f 








ceed S25, imprison- 


every town must 








ment not to exceed 


malie returns annu- 








30 days; any city or 


ally to the State 








town neglecting to 


superintendent of 








elect a truant officer 


number of persons 








and truant officer 


between 5 and 21. 








neglecting required 










duties, fine not less 










than SIO nor more 










than S50. 






For such pe- 
r i d as 




Parent, fine not ex- 
ceeding $5 for each 


PoUce commissioners 
of Baltimore City 


The head teacher of 




every school shall re- 


board may 




offense. 


shall make a record 


port immediately to 


prescribe. 






of name, age, color, 
and sex of every 
child between 6 and 
16, and the place and 
year and month 
when such child last 
attended school. 


the school commis- 
sioners or to an at- 
tendance officer the 
names of aU children 
who have been un- 
lawfully absent 3 
days. 


Until 16 years 


A court by 


Parent, fine not more 


A school census shall 




of age. 


whom a 
child has 
been con- 
victed may 
place such 


than $20. 


be made of aU chil- 
dren between 5 and 
15 years of age and of 
all minors over 14 








who can not read at 






child on pro- 
bation. 


Parent, 35 to $50 or 
imprisonment 2 to 


sight and write. 


The last school census 








shall be compared 






90 days, or both. 




with the enrollment, 
and the names of 
children not in at- 
tendance must be re- 
ported to city truant 
officer or county com- 
missioner. 



46 



OOMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

II. Compulsory attendance — Officers, 





OfQicers charged 


Powers and duties of 


By whom 
officers are 
appointed. 


Truant and parental 


states. 


with enforcement. 


truant officers. 


schools — Establishment. 


Minnesota 


Truant officers 


Investigate all cases 


Board of edu- 


School boards may main- 


Sch. Laws, 




of truancy or non- 


cation. 


tain imgraded schools 


1911. 




attendance, make 
complaints, serve 
notices, and attend 
to the enforcement 
of all laws and regu- 
lations respecting 




for truants, etc., be- 
tween 8 and 18. If 
such school is inade- 
quate to secure attend- 
dance the child may 
be committed to the 




« 


truant, incorrigible, 
and disorderly chil- 
dren and school at- 
tendance; may ar- 
rest without war- 
rant; make reports 
to State superin- 
tendent. 




State training school. 


Mississippi 

Missouri 


None .■...■• 


No compulsory law 






Truant officer 


To serve notices upon 
parents; visit any 


School boards 
in cities or 


May be established in 
cities or districts hav- 


Sch. Laws, 


1911. 




establishment em- 


districts of 


ing 10,000 or more 






ploying children; 


1,000 or more 


population. For 






arrest without war- 


population. 


every child committed 






rant all truants; re- 




SIO per month shall 






quire properly at- 




be paid the board of 






tested birth certifi- 




education out of city 






cates or affidavits 




or county treasury, 






when in doubt 




for support of the 






about child's age. 




child. 


Montana 


Truant officers in 
cities, or con- 


Vested with police 
powers, the author- 


Board of 

trustees. 


In districts having pop- 
ulation of 25,000 or 


Sch. Laws, 


1913. 


stable may be 


ity to serve warrants 




more there shall be, 




appointed i n 


and to enter places 




and in districts hav- 




villages and 


where children may 




ing population of 




township d i s - 


be employed; take 




less than 25,000 there 




tricts. 


into custody anyone 
between 8 and 14 or 
between 14 and 16 
unable to read and 
write, who is not at- 
tending school; in- 
stitute proceedings 
against parents; 
keep a record of his 
transactions; report 
daily to superin- 
tendent of schools or 
clerk of school 
board. 




may be, established 
Industrial schools for 
habitual truants or 
incorrigible children. 


Nebraska 


Truant officers 


Shall qualify as police 


Board of edu- 


Boards of education in 


Sch. Laws, 




officers; shall enforce 


cation. 


cities may establish 


1911. 




the compulsory at- 
tendance law; may 
apprehend and take 
to his home or to 
some school any 
child who should be 
in school. 




special schools for tru- 
ants and incorrigibles. 


Nevada 


Attendance officer. 


Duty of attendance 
of&cer, or any peace 


Board of 
trustees. 


Boards of trustees are 
authorized to establish 


Sch. Laws, 


1911. 




officer, or any other 
school officer to ar- 
rest during school 
hours, without war- 
rant, any child be- 
tween 8 and 16 re- 
ported absent from 
instruction, who 
shall be delivered to 
the teacher or 
parent. 
To enforce the laws 




special schools for ha- 
bitual truants or for 
insubordinate pupils. 


New Hampshire. 
Sch. Laws, 


Truant officer 


School boards. 






relating to truants 






1911. 




and children be- 
tween 8 and 16 not 
attending school, 
and the laws pro- 
hibiting the em- 
ployment of chil- 
dren; may visit 
manufacturing and 







ATTENDANCE LAWS. 
parental schools, penalties, etc. Continued. 



47 



I'eriod of com- 
mitment of 
child. 



Penalties for violations. 



Census. 



Teachers' reports of 
absence. 



Parent, fine not less 
than S50 or imprison- 
ment not more than 
30 days; any school 
officer, truant offi- 
cer, teacher, princi- 
pal, or superintend- 
ent, fine not to ex- 
ceed $10 or imprison- 
ment not over 10 
days. 



A complete census of 
all children between 
6 and 16 shall be 
taken by the clerk 
of the school board 
or by some one ap- 
pointed by the 
board. Copies of the 
census must be sent 
to the county super- 
intendent, and if a 
city district to the 
city superintendent , 
before the first day 
of school. 



No child shall 
be released 
upon parole 
in less than 
4 weeks, nor 
until the su- 
p e r intend- 
ent of such 
industrial 
school is sat- 
isfied that 
t he child 
will attend 
school reg- 
ularly. 



Not to exceed 
the remain- 
der of the 
school year. 



Parent, $10 to $25 or 
imprisonment 2 to 
10 days, or both. 



Parent, $5 to $20; any 
officer or principal, 
$25 to $50 for each 



Parent, $5 to $25 . 



Parent, fine of not 
more than SIO or im- 
prisonment for not 
more than 5 days for 
first offense, and $10 
to $50 or imprison- 
ment 5 to 25 days 
for each subsequent 
onense. 



Parent, $10 for each 



Teachers must be fur- 
nished a copy of the 
last enumeration list 
at the beguming of 
the term. 



District clerk shall 
make annually a 
census of all persons 
between 6 and 21 
and a separate cen- 
sus of all children 
under 6. 



In taking the annual 
census, enumerators 
shall record place 
and date of birth of 
each child enume- 
rated, together with 
the school attended. 



Board of trustees shall 
appoint some one to 
make a census of all 
children. 



Truant officers or an- 
other agent are re- 
quired to take a cen - 
sus of children be- 
tween 5 and 16. 



Teachers, upon receipt 
of list of pupils of 
school age and those 
excused, shall report 
names of those not 
excused who are not 
attending school. 



The secretary of board 
in city, town, or vil- 
lage schools, and 
clerks in other dis- 
tricts, shall file with 
county superintend- 
ent the names of 
parents not comply- 
ing with provisions 
of compulsory at- 
tendance act. 

Principals and teachers 
shall report all cases 
of truancy or incor- 
rigibility as soon as 
possible. 



Teachers, principals, or 
superintendent shall 
report any one vio- 
lating compulsory at- 
tendance act as soon 
as possible. 



48 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

II. Compulsory attendance — Officers, 



States. 



Officers charged 
with enforcement. 



Powers and duties of 
truant officers. 



By whom 
officers are 
Appointed. 



Truant and parental 
schools — E stablishment. 



New Hampshire 
(continued). 



New Jersey 

Sch. Laws, 
1911. 



Truant officers; 
police authori- 
ties. 



New Mexico 

Sch. Laws, 
1909. 



New York 

Sch. Laws, 
1912. 



County superin- 
tendent shall 
require directors 
to enforce the 
law. 

Truant officers 



North Carolina.. 
Sch. Laws, 
1913. 



Attendance officer. 



North Dakota.. 
Sch. Laws, 
1911. 



Truant officer in 
cities or school 
districts of over 
500. 



other establish- 
ments to ascertain 
whether children 
are unlawfully em- 
ployed; may de- 
mand evidence of 
age of child. 
Board shall prescribe 
their duties and 
make rules and regu- 
lations regarding 
same. 



Board of edu- 
cation; po- 
lice authori- 
ties in any 
municip a 1 - 
ity shall, 
upon writ- 
ten request 
of the board 
of education, 
detail one or 
more mem- 
bers of the 
police force 
as truant 
officers. 



Board of education of 
any school district 
may maintain a school 
for children between 
7 and 14 who are ha- 
bitual truants or who 
are habitually insu- 
bordinate. 



May arrest without 
warrant any child 
between 7 and 16 
who is a truant, and 
shall deliver the 
child to a teacher or 
if an habitual truant 
or incorrigible to a 
police magistrate. 
May enter any place 
of business to ex- 
amine employment 
certificates. 



An attendance officer 
shall be appointed 
for each township to 
enforce the compul- 
sory school laws and 
to serve a taker of 
school census. He 
shall serve notices 
upon parents; may 
visit places of em- 
ployment; may re- 
quire birth certifi- 
cates or affidavit 
stating child's age; 
shall keep a record 
of all notices served, 
all cases prosecuted, 
and make an annual 
report to the county 
board. 

Clerk or secretary of 
the board of educa- 
tion shall notify the 
county superintend- 
ent, who shall lay 
the case before the 
State's attorney. 



School author- 
ities in cities, 
etc.; in all 
other dis- 
tricts, the 
town board 
with ap- 
proval of 
district su- 
p e rintend- 
ent. 



School authorities of any 
city or school district 
may establish truant 
schools for habitual 
truants or disorderly 
children between 7 
and 16; or such au- 
thorities may order 
such children to be 
committed to a pri- 
vate institution con- 
trolled by persons of 
the same religious 
faith as the parent. 



County board 
of education. 



Board of edu- 
cation in 
cities or dis- 
tricts of over 
600 may em- 
ploy. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 

parental scJiools, penalties, etc. — Continued. 



49 



Period of com- 
mitment of 
child. 


Paroles. 


Penalties for violations. 


Census. 


Teachers' reports of 
absence. 


T^nr such time 




Paicnts punishable as 
disorderly persons. 


Board cf education 




?.s board 




may cause to be 




may pre- 






taken an exact cen- 




scribe. 




Parent, $5 to $25 or 
miprisonment not 


sus of all chikli-en 
between .5 and 18, 
not more often than 
once in 5 years. 

An enumeration of all 
unmarried persons 














more than 10 days. 


between 5 and 21. 




Not to exceed 


The authori- 


Parent, not more than 


In cities of the first 




2 years. 


ties com- 


$0 or 6 days' Im- 


class a permanent 






mitting any 


prisonment for first 


census board con- 






such child, 
and school 


offense, and for eaoli 


slstiQg of the mayor, 






subsequent offense 


the superintendent 






superin- 
tendent in 


not over USD or mi- 


of schools, and noUc^ 
commissioner shall 






prisonment not over 






cities and 


30 days, or both; 


ascertain through 
the pohce force the 
residence and em- 






districts 


the State commis- 






having 


sioner of education 






such, may 


may withheld one- 


ployment 01 all per- 






parole tru- 


half of all public 


sons between 4 and 






ant. 


moneys for nonen- 
forcement. 


18; census shall be 
amended day by 
day as changes in 
residence occur; tne 
school authorities In 
school districts shall 
cause a census of all 
children between 6 
and 18. 








Parent, $5 to ?25 or 
imprisonment not 


The attendance officer 
shall take an annual 


Shall render weekly re- 






ports of absences dur- 






to exceed 30 days; 


census and lurnish 


iQg compulsory pe- 
riod to attendance 






any teacher wlUtully 


eacn superintendent 






neglecting to report 


principal, or teacher 


officer and to county 






absences shall have 


m charge a copy of 


Ml perlntendent. 






$5 deducted irom 


the school census. 








his salary for the 










current month. 










Parent, $5 to $20 Tor 
for first offense and 


The school board shall 
cause an enumera- 














!$iO to 850 for eacn 


tion of all unmarried 








subsequent offsase^ 


persons l>eiween (> 








with cost in each 


and 21. 








ease. 







14426°— 14- 



60 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

II. Compulsory attendance — Officers, 



states. 


Officers charged 


Powers and duties of 


By whom 
officers are 
appointed. 


Truant and parental 


with enforcement. 


truant officers. 


schools— Establishment. 


Ohio 


Truant officers 


Vested with police 


Board of edu- 


Truants under 10 years 


Sess. Laws, 




power; may serve 


cation. 


of age may be sent to a 


1913; Sch. 




warrants; may enter 




children's home; a de- 


Laws, 1912. 


• 


workshops and all 
other places where 
children are em- 
ployed; may take 
into custody any 
youth between 8 
and 15, or between 
15 and 16 if not em- 
ployed and not at- 
tending school; shall 
institute proceed- 
ings against any offi- 
cer, parent, or cor- 
poration violating 
compulsory attend- 
ance laws; shall keep 
on file names of all 
children between 15 
and 16 to whom age 
and schooling cer- 
tificates have been 
granted who desire 
employment; shall 
make daily reports 
to the superintend- 
ent or the clerk of 
the board. 




linquent chUd under 
17 may be committed, 
if a boy to a training 
school for boys, or if a 
girl to an industrial 
school for girls. 


Oklahoma 


Truant officers in 
cities, etc. 


Enforcement of com- 
pulsory attendance 


Board of edu- 
cation. 




Sch. Laws, 




1912. 


• 


act. 






Oregon 


Truant officer; one 


Shall notify parents, 
investigate all cases 


District boun- 




Sch. Laws, 


appointed for 


dary board. 




1911. 


districts of the 


of truancy or nonat- 


In districts 






second and 


tendance; in coun- 


of the first 






third class for 


ties of less than 


class police 






each county. 


100,000 inhabitants 
he shall act as pro- 
bation officer and 
see that the child- 
labor law is en- 
forced. 


a u thorities 
are required, 
at request 
of school 
board, to de- 
tail one or 
more mem- 
bers as tru- 
ant officers, 
but board 
may ap- 
point any 
citizen not 
a police offi- 
cer. 




Pennsylvania. . . . 


Attendance offi- 


Shall have full police 


Board of 


May be established by 


Sch. Laws, 


cers shall be 


power; without war- 


school direc- 


board of school direc- 


1911. 


elected in dis- 


rant, notify parents; 


tors. 


tors. Habitual tru- 




tricts of the first, 
second, or third 


have power and au- 




ants or incorrigibles 




thority to enter any 




may be sent to reform- 




class, and may 


place where children 




atory schools or com- 




be in districts of 


are employed and to 




mitted to the care of a 




the fourth class. 


inspect employment 




probation officer by 




Any 2 or more 


certificates. 




juvenile court. 




districts may 










join in the ap- 










pointment of an 










attendance offi- 






. 




cer. 






1 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 
parental schools, penalties, etc. — Continued. 



51 



Period of com- 
mitment of 
chUd. 


Paroles. 


Penalties for violations. 


Census. 


Teachers' reports of 
absence. 


Discharged, 


Judge may- 


Parent, S5 to S20 or im- 


Census of all unmar- 
rJid youth between 




on recom- 


commit dc- 


prisonment 10 to 30 




m e ndation 


linquent 


days. 


6 and 21 shall be 




of trustees. 


child to a 
probat ion 
officer, and 
may allow 
the child to 
remaui at 
home, sub- 
ject to the 
V i s i tation 
officer. 




taken aimually, des- 
ignating the num- 
ber between 6 and 8, 
between 8 and 14, be- 
tween 14 and 16, and 
between 16 and 21. 









Parent, $10 to $50 


Board of education 
shall furnish to su- 


A. report required to 






the board of educa- 








perintendent of all 


tion not less than 14 








public or other 


nor more than 26 








schools in cities, or 


weeks before close of 








to the teachers in 


last term of school 








other districts, the 


for the year, which 








names of all children 


report shall contain 








between 8 and 16. 


the names of all 
children between 8 
and 16 who have at- 
tended school and 
the period of attend- 
ance. 






Parent, 85 to $25, or 
imprisonment not 


Every district clerk 
shall enroll annually 


Every month the cen- 






sus list and the en- 






less than 2 to 10 days, 


all persons over 4 


rollment list must be 






or both; board, offi- 
cer, principal, or 
teacher, $5 to $20. 


and under 20. A 


compared and absen- 






copy of the census 
shall be forwarded 


tees reported to sec- 






retary of the district 








the county superin- 


boundary board, or 








tendent. 


if a district of the first 
class to the truant 




- 






officer. 


• 




Parent, fine of not 
more than $2 for first 


Board of school direc- 
tors shall cause to be 


Principal or teacher 
shall report at once 










offense and not more 


made an enumera- 


to attendance officer 






than $5 for each suc- 


ation of all children 


the names of all chil- 






ceeding offense; in 


.between agesof 6 and 


dren who have not 






default, not more 


16, and the name of 


appeared for enroll- 






than 5 days in jail. 


the school the child 
attends, and the 
name of the em- 
ployer, if employed; 
census list shall be 
sent to county or 
district superintend- 
ent. 


ment and from time 
to time all children 
who have been ab- 
sent .3 days. 



52 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

II. Compulsory attendance — Officers, 



States. 


Officers charged 


Powers and duties of 


By whom 
officers are 
appointed. 


Truant and parental 


with enforcement. 


truant officers. 


schools— Establishment. 


Porto Rico 


Municipal author- 
ities. 








Sch. Laws, 


* 






1911. 










Rhode Island.... 


Truant officers 


Clothed with power of 


School com- 


Children convicted of 


Sch. Laws, 




special constables; 


mittee. 


truancy shall be com- 


1910. 




^ may make com- 
plaint of any viola- 
tion of compulsory 
attendance act; 
serve legal processes; 
visit places where 
minor children are 
employed: demand 
twice a year from all 
employers a report 
containing names of 
all children under 16 
employed by them; 
may make com- 
plaint against ha- 
bitual truants. 




mitted to the Socka- 
nosset School lor Boys 
or to the Oaklawn 
School for Girls. 










Soutti CaroliBa . . 


None 


No compulsory law 






Soutn Dakota... 


Truant officer in 


Enforce the provisions 


Board of edu- 


Board of education may 


Sch. Laws, 


cities and inde- 


of compulsory at- 


cation of 


set aside a room or 


1911. 


pendent dis- 


tendance act; arrest 


city or town 


building for the deten- 
tion and instruction of 




tricts; county 


truants and children 


independent 




superintend e n t 


who habitually 


districts. 


habitual truants or in- 




for all other dis- 


haunt pubUe places 
and have no lawful 
occupation. 
The secretary or clerk 
shall report to the 




subordinate children. 




tricts. 






Tennessee. 


Truant officers 




The board of education 


Sch. Laws, 


may be elected 




in any city or town 


1911. 


in any city or 


board at each regu- 




having an indepen- 




town having an 


lar meeting all Usts 




dent school system 




independent 


of absences and aU 




may establish truant 




school system; 


excuses and shall 




schools. 




clerk of board in 


bring suit for the 








other districts. 


board in any case in 
which said board 
may order suit to be 
brought. 
No compulsory law ... 






Texas 


None 






Utah 


Truant officer 


Make complaints and 
arrest; serve legal 


Board of ed- 
ucation of 


Board of education of 
any city of the first or 


Sch. Laws, 


1913. 




process. County 


county dis- 


second class, or board 






truant officer shall 


trict of the 


of education of any 2 






be made a deputy 


first class, or 


or more such cities, or 






sheriff, and city tru- 


board oi ed- 


of any county district 






ant officer shaU be 


ucation of 


of the first class, may 






made a special po- 


any two or 


provide for parental 






liceman. 


more such 
districts. 
City boards 
of education 
may ap- 
nomt. 


school and for the sup- 
port and education of 
the inmate thereof. 


Vermont 


Truant r<!icers; 


Shall inquire into 


Board o 1 


Upon conviction of tru- 


Sch. Laws; 


the sherift, dep- 


child's nonattend- 


school direc- 


ancy a child may be 


Sess. Laws, 


uty sheriffs, con- 


ance, notify parents, 


tors. 


sentenced to the Ver- 


1913; Sch. 


stables,, and po- 


may stop a child of 




mont Industrial 


Laws, 1911. 


lice officers shall 
also be truant 
officers ex officio. 


school age wherever 
lound during school 
hours and take him 
to the school ne 
should attend; noti- 
fy overseer of poor if 
patents can not pro- 
vide necessary 
clothing. 




School. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 

parental schools, penalties, etc. — Continued. 



53 



Period of com- 
mitment of 
child. 


Paroles. 


Penalties for violations. 


Census. 


Teachers' reports of 
absence. 






Parent, first offense, 
public reprimand; 
second offense, not 
more than .«5; third 
offense, not more 
than 110. 

Parent, not more than 
$20. 






Not to exceed 
period of 
minority. 


Court may de- 
fer sentence 
and place 
child on pro- 
ba tion in 
custody of a 
truant offi- 
cer or proba- 
tion oflBcer. 


School committee or 
an agent shall annu- 
ally take a census of 
all persons between 
5 and 15. 


• 






Parent, SIO to $20; 
school officer or em- 
ployee, $10 to $20. 

Parent, first offense, 
$1 for each day child 
is absent; fine for 
first offense may, 
upon payment of 
costs, be suspendea 
until party is con- 
victed of second 
offense. 


The clerk of the school 
district board, or the 
board of education, 
shall take an annual 
census of all ch Udren 
under 21 and over 6; 
house to house visi- 
tation required. 

Annual school census 
required, a copy of 
which shall be fur- 
nished to the person 
in charge of each 
school. 








At the close of eacli 






school month each 
teacher or principal 
shall transmit to the 
clerk of board of edu- 
cation a statement of 
all absences of chil- 
dren between 8 and 
14. 


For a term 
not extend- 
iug beyond 
the age of 14 
for truants 
and 16 for 
negle c t e d 
children. 

Not less than 
30 weeks. 


May be pa- 
roled in ac- 
cordance 
with by-law 
establish e d 
toy the board 
or boards of 
education. 


Parent guilty of a mis- 
demeanor. 

Parent, $5 to $25; tru- 
ant oflBcer or other 
officer authorized to 
make arrests, not 
more than $100. 


Census made each 
year of all children 
6 to 18, to include 
number attending 
public school and 
number attending 
private school. 
Clerk of the board of 
school directors shall 
IDrovide the teacher 
of each scJiool with 
hst of all chDdren re- 
quired to attend 
such school. 

Clerk of board shall 
annually make a list 
of all children of 
school age and make 
such report there- 
from as the superin- 
tendent of educa- 
tion may require; 
shall deliver a list of 
such children to the 
teacher. 


Teacher shall notify 




the truant officer in 
case a cniid between 
8 and 15, or in case an 
enrolled child over 16 
fails to attend. 



54 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

II. Compulsor^y attendance — Officers, 



States. 



Virginia 

Sch. Laws, 
1911. 



Washington 

Sch. Laws, 
1909. 



West Virginia.. 
Sch. Laws, 
1911. 



Officers charged 
with enforcement. 



Clerk of district 
board. 



Attendance offi- 
cer in incorpo- 
rated city dis- 
tricts; county 
superintendent 
in other dis- 
tricts. 



Powers and duties of 
truant officers. 



Truant officer . 



Wisconsin 

Sch. Laws, 
1911. 



Wyoming 

Sch. Laws. 
1913. 



Truant officers; 
sheriff. 



Truant officer; 
sheriff. 



Each district board 
shall in February 
and September of 
each year ascertain 
the condition of all 
children between 8 
and 12 years of age 
who are not in at- 
tendance at any 
public school and 
shall report aU vio- 
lations to its district 
clerk, who shall pro- 
ceed to prosecute. 

Any attendance offi- 
cer may be a sheriff, 
constable, a city 
marshal, or a regu- 
larly appointed po- 
liceman. Vested 
with police powers, 
authority to make 
arrests and serve 
legal processes, to 
enter places in which 
children may be em- 
ployed, to take into 
custody any child 
between 8 and 15 
who may be a tru- 
ant, and to conduct 
such child to his par- 
ents or to school; to 
arrest without war- 
rant; shall keep a 
record of his transac- 
tions, and make re- 
ports. 

If from personal knowl- 
edge or complaint 
the truant officer be- 
lieves that any child 
of compulsory school 
age has been absent 
from school for 2 
daj s, he shall imme- 
diately give written 
notice to the parent. 
If notice is not com- 
plied with he shall 
make complaint 
against such parent. 

In cities of the first 
class 10 or more tru- 
ant officers shall be 
appointed; in all 
other cities having 
more than 2,000 pop- 
ulation 1 or more, 
who shaU see that 
the provisions of the 
compulsory attend- 
ance act are enforced. 
In aU cities having 
less than 2,000 popu- 
lation and in aU 
towns and villages 
the sheriff shall be 
truant officer. 

Give notice to parent 
that attendance is 
requiied of such par- 
ent's child; make 
and file complaints 
against parents. 



By whom 
officers are 
appointed. 



Truant and parental 
schools — Establishment. 



Board of ed- 
ucation for 
incorporated 
city dis- 
tricts. 



Board of edu- 
cation. 



Board of edu- 
cation. 



District board 
in a city or 
town of more 
than 2,500 
inhabitants 
may appoint. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 
parental schools, penalties, etc. — Continued. 



55 



Period of com- 
mitment of 
child. 



Paroles. 



Penalties for violations. 



Parent, S2 to $10 for 
the first offense and 
85 to $20 for each 
subsequent offense; 
clerk of district 
board, $5 to $10. 



Parent, not more than 
$25. 



Parent, $2 for the first 
offense, $5 for each 
subsequent offense. 



Parent, $5 to $50, with 
costs, or imprison- 
ment in the county- 
jail not exceeding 3 
months, or both; 
any oificial or 
teacher, $5 to $25. 



Parent, $5 to $25 or 
imprisonment for 
not more than 90 

days. 



Clerk of each district 
board shall take a 
census of all persons 
between 7 and 21 
every five years. 



The district clerk or 
secretary shall pro- 
vide the teacher 
with a copy of the 
last census of school 
children; census of 
all persons between 
5 and 21 shall be 
taken by the secre- 
tary or by enumera- 
tors appointed by 
him. 



Teachers' reports of 
absence. 



Enumeration to be 
taken and reported 
in separate classes; 
all youth between 6 
and 16, all between 
16 and. 21, and all 
between 8 and 15, 
and, in districts con- 
taining kindergar- 
tens, all between 4 
and 6. 



Census of all children 
over 4 and under 20, 
one copy to be deliv- 
ered to head teacher. 



Clerk of each school 
district to furnish 
the sheriff or consta- 
ble a list of names of 
children of compul- 
sory school age. 



Every teacher shall re- 
port to the truant 
officer, principal, or 
superintendent all 
cases of truancy or 
incorrigibility. 



Teachers in ungraded 
schools and princi- 
pals and superin- 
tendents in graded 
and high schools 
shall report to truant 
officers all cases of 
violation and shall 
furnish information 
and reports for a 
hearing. 



Teachers shall report 
attendance and en- 
rollment. 



At the close of the first 
week of school each 
teacher shall forward 
a list of pupils attend- 
ing to the proper offi- 
cials. Wben pupil 
has been absent 3 
days without valid 
excuse, or is habitu- 
ally absent or tardy, 
teacher shall make 
written report to the 
truant officer. 



66 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

III. Child Labor. — Employments prohibited, 



States. 



Employments prohibited. 



Hours of labor. 



Certificate required 
for employment. 



Alabama 

Sch. Laws, 1911. 



Arizona 

Sch. Laws, 1912. 



Arkansas 

Sen. Laws, 191(^ 
Kirby's Di- 
gest, 1904. 



California 

Sell. Laws, 1911, 



Colorado 

Seh. Laws, 1912. 



Under 12: In any mUl, factory, or 
manufacturing establishment. 
Between 12 and 16: Unless such 
child shall attend school 8 weeks 
in every year of employment, 6 
of which shall be consecutive. 

Under 14; In any mUl, factory, 
workshop, mercantile establish- 
ment, tenement house, store, 
business office, telegraph or tele- 
phone ofiice, restaurant, bakery, 
barber shop, apartment house, 
bootblack stand or parlor, or in 
the distribution or transporta- 
tion of merchandise or messages, 
or in any business whatsoever 
during school hours. Under 16: 
Sewing macnine belts; adjusting 
belts; oUing, wiping, or cleaning 
machinery; operating circular or 
hand saws; and other dangerous 
machiaery: the preparing of any 
composition in which dangerous 
or poisonous acids are used, etc. 
Under 18: Extra hazardous oc- 
cupations. 

Between 8 and 14: In any mine, 
factory, workshop, mercantile, 
or in any manner during school 
hours. 



Under 15: In any mercantile insti- 
tution, office, laundry, manufac- 
turing establishment, workshop, 
place of amusement, restaurant, 
hotel, apartment house, or in the 
distribution or transmission of 
merchandise or messages. A 
permit may be granted a child 
over 12 years of age to work upon 
the sworn statement of his par- 
ents that they (parents) are in- 
capacitated for labor through 
illness. 



Under 14: At any gainful occupa- 
tion in any theater, concert hall, 
or place of amusement where in- 
toxicating liquors are sold, or in 
any mercantile institution, store, 
office, hotel, laundry, manufac- 
turing establishment, bowling 
alley, elevator, factory, or work- 
shop, or as messenger or driver 
thereof; nor at any gainful work 
when the public schools are in 
session. Under 1^: To be exhib- 
ited, used, or employed as an 
actor or performer in any concert 
hall or room where mtoxicating 
liquors are sold or given away; 
or in anv variety theater, or for 
any business or vocation inju- 
rious to the morals or dangerous 
to the life or limb of the child, 
such as mining, adjusting belts 
to machinery, operating planers, 
etc. 



Under 14: Not more than 60 
hours a week; between 16 
and 18, not more than 8 
hours a night; under 16, 
not between 7 p. m. to 7 
a. m. 

Boys under lo and girls un- 
der 13: Not more than 48 
hours a week, nor more 
than 8 hours a day, nor be- 
fore 7 a. m. or after 7 p. m. 



Under 18: Affidavit 
from parent stat- 
ing date and 
place of birth of 
child. 

Under 16: Age and 
schooling, show- 
ing that tne child 
is 14. 



Under 14: Between 7 p. m, 
and 6 a. m. or for more than 
60 hours a week or more 
than 10 hours a day. 



Under 18: Not more than 9 
hours a day, nor between 
10 p. m. and 5 a.m. 



Under 14: Before 7 a. m., or 
after 8 p. m.; not more 
than 8 hours a day lor any 
one under 16. 



Affidavit of par- 
ent, certifying 
age and date of 
birth, filed with 
employer. Un- 
der 14: A certifi- 
cate of school at- 
tendance. 

Between 15 and 16: 
Age and school- 
ing certfficate 
filed with em- 
ployer. ■ 



Between 14 and 
16: Age and 
school certiflcate 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 
hours of labor, certificates, penalties, etc. 



57 



By whom 

certificate is 

issued or 

approved. 


Proof of age 
reqiTired for 
certificate. 


Minimum 

educational 

qualifications 

required for 

certificate. 


Physical ex- 
amination 
for certificate. 


"Vacation 
certificate." 


Law enforced 
by whom. 


Penalty for 
violation. 


Parent; filed 


Affidavit of 








State prison 


Employer, fine 


with em- 


parent. 








inspector. 


not less than 


ployer, pro- 












$50 nor more 


bate judge. 












than $100. 


or State 














inspector. 














Sunerintend- 


School rec- 


Read a n d 






Factory and 


Employees or 


ent-fcity, 


ord, pass- 


write legibly. 






other duly 


parent, fine 


county. 


port; birth 


simple sen- 






authorized 


of $5 to 8200 


o." town 


certincate. 


tences in the 






inspectors. 


or imprison- 


schools. 


baptisma 1 


English lan- 






and school 


ment 10 to 30 




certificate, 


guage, and 






attend- 


days. 




affidavit of 


instruction 






ance offi- 






parent. 


equivalent to 
5 yearly 
grades in 
the common 
school 
branches. 

Read or write 
his or ner 






cers. 


Any violator, 












fine of $5 to 






name and 








$10. 






simple sen- 














tences in 














English. 










Superintend- 


School cen- 


Read English 




Overl2: Per- 


Commis- 


Every person 


en t of 


sus, certifi- 


at sight. 




mit signed 


sioner of 


authorized to 


schools of 


cate of 


write legibly 




by the 


theburear. 


sign employ- 


the city or 


birth or 


and cor- 




principal. 


of labor 


ment certifi- 


by a person 


baptism, 


rectly simple 




vice prin- 


sta'i^ib^i c s 


cate, $5 to $50 


authorized 


public reg- 


English sen- 




cipal, or 


sch-ol dis- 


or imprison- 


by the 


is ter of 


tence, unless 




secretary 


trict au- 


ment for not 


local 


birth, or 


a regular at- 




f the 


thorities. 


more than 


school 


some other 


attendant for 




school 




30 days, or 


trustee. 


manner. 


tne then cur- 
rent term at 
a regu'arly 
conducted 
night school. 




board. 




both; em- 
plover, $50 to 
$200, or im- 
prisonment 
for not more 
than 60 days, 
or both. 


Superintend 
ent of 


Last school 


Read at sight 
and write 






State factory 


Parent or guar- 


census, cer- 






inspector; 


dian, $5 to 


schools, or 


tificate of 


legibly sim- 






truant offi- 


$25; persons 


if there is 


birth or 


plesent^nces, 






cers. 


authoriz e d 


no superin- 


baptism, 


unless a regu- 








to sign the 


tendent, by 


register of 


lar attend- 








employment 


some one 


birth with 


ant at an 








certificate, $5 


authorized 


town clerk 


evening 








to ?100; em- 


by the 


records of 


school. 








ployer, S5 to 


school 


the public 










SlOO; second 


board. 
1 


or paro- 
c h i a 1 
schools; 
affidavit. 










violation by 
anyone, $100 
to $500, or 
i mprison- 
ment not to 
exceed 90 
days, or 
both. 



58 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

III. Child IjAbok.— Employments j)rohibited, hours 



States. 



Connecticut 

Sch. Laws, 1912. 



Delaware 

Sess. Laws, 1913. 



Dist. Columbia. . 
Statutes, 1911. 



Employments prohibited. 



Florida 

Statutes, 1906. 



Georgia 

Sch. Laws, 1911. 



Idaho 

Sch. Laws, 1911. 



Under 14: In any mechanical, mer- 
cantile, or manufacturing estab- 
lishment; under 16, all dangerous 
machinery, dangerous or poison- 
ous acids, explosives, etc. ; under 
18, as operator of elevator run- 
ning at a speed of over 200 feet a 
minute. 



Under 12 : In any cannery or pack- 
ing establishment other than 
those engaged in canning or pack- 
ing fruits and vegetables. Under 
14: In any mill, factory, work- 
shop, merbhantile or mechanical 
establishment, tenement house, 
manufactory or workshop, office, 
office building, restaurant,board- 
ing house, bakery, barber shop, 
hotel, bootblack stand, public 
stable, garage, laundry, or as a 
driver, or in any brick or lumber 
yard, or in the construction and 
repair of buildings, or in the 
transmission of messages, or with 
dangerous machinery, or in any 
occupation when the public 
schools are in session. Under IS: 
In occupations dangerous to the 
life or limb or injurious to the 
health or morals. 



Under 14: In any factory, work- 
shop,merchantile establishment, 
store, business office, telegraph 
or telephone office, restaurant, 
hotel, apartment house, club, 
theater, DowUng alley, laundry, 
bootblack stand, or in the distri- 
bution or transmission of mer- 
chandise or messages, or at any 
work for wages during the hours 
the public schools are in session; 
judge of .juvenile court may per- 
mit a child between 12 and 14 to 
work if parents actually need 
the support of the child. 



Under 14: In occupations danger- 
ous to life or limb or injurious to 
the health or morals. Under 15: 
Except with consent of those 

• having lawful control, for more 
than 60 days. 

Under 10: In any factory or manu- 
facturing establishment. Un- 
der 12: Unless parents are de- 
pendent upon child for support. 
Under 14: Except as above, un- 
less child has certain educational 
qualifications. 



Under 14: In any mine, factory, 
workshop, merchantile establish- 
ment, store, telegraph or tele- 
phone office, laundry, restau- 
rant, hotel, apartment house, 
or in the distribution or trans- 
mission of merchandise or mes- 
sages, nor in any such business 



Hours of labor. 



Certificate required 
for employment. 



Under 16: Not more than 58 
hours in any calendar 
week. 



Under 16: Not more than 6 
days a week nor more than 
54 hours a week, nor before 
7 a. m., or after 6 p. m. 



Under 14: not before 6 a. m., 
nor after 7 p. m. ; not more 
than 8 hours a day, nor 
more than 48 hours a week. 



Not over 10 hours a day. 



Under 14: Not in any fac- 
tory between 7 p. ni. and 
6 a. m. 



Under 16: Not before 6 a. m., 
nor after 9 p. m., nor more 
than 54 hours a week, nor 
more than 9 hours a day. 



Between 14 and 16: 
An age and 
school certfficate 
filed with em- 
ployer. 



Under 16: A certif- 
icate of age and 
schooling filed 
with employer; 
on termination 
of employment 
certificate to be 
returned to the 
officialissuingit. 



Under 16: Age and 
schooling certifi- 
cate filed with 
employer; per- 
mit to sell pa- 
pers in public 
places required. 



Affidavit from par- 
ent certifying to 
the age of the 
child and at- 
tendance at 
school filed with 
employer. 



Between 14 and 
16: Employer 
shall keep a rec- 
ord of the names, 
ages, and place 
of residence. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 



59 



of labor, certificates, penalties, etc. — Continued. 



By whom 

certificate is 

issued or 

approved. 


Proof of age 
required for 
certificale. 


Minimum 
educational 
qualifications 
required for 

certificate. 


Physical ex- 
amination 
for certificate. 


"Vacation 
certificate." 


Law enforced 
by whom. 


Penalty for 
violation. 


Secretary 
of State 


The person 
issuing the 


To read with 


School au- 




State factory 
inspector; 


Every person 


facility, to 


thorities 




employing 


board of 


certificate 


write legibly 


may cause 




State 


or permit- 


education, 


may re- 


simple sen- 


any child 




board of 


ting the em- 


or a school 


quire an 


tences, to 


to be ex- 




education. 


ployment 


superinten- 


affidavit 


perform the 


amined by 




school vis- 


not more 


dent, etc. 


from the 


operatic n s, 


a reputable 




i t r s , 


than 8100. 




parent. 


of the funda- 
mental rules 
of arithme- 
tic. 


physician. 




school 
boards. 




Superintend- 
ent of city 


Birth certifi- 
cate, pass- 


Read inteUi- 
gently and 




Vacation cer- 
tificates 


Factory in- 
spector. 


Anyone em- 




ploying or 


of Wil- 


port, bap- 


write legibly 




permit the 




permitting a 


mington or 


tismal cer- 


simple sen- 




child to 




child to work 


by super- 


tificate. 


tences in the 




work the 




$5 to 850 for 


intendents 


school cen- 


English lan- 




entire 




first offense; 


of the 


sus, aflfi- 


guage. 




year, ex- 




.$50 to 8200 or 


coimtles or 


davit. 






cepting 




imprison- 


some one 








when re- 




ment for not 


authorized 








quired to 




more than 30 


by them. 








attend 
school. 




days for sec- 
ond offense; 
for third of- 
fense, notless 
than 8200, or 
imprison- 
ment for not 
more than 60 
days,orboth. 
Any person 
authorized to 
issue employ- 
ment certifi- 
cates, 85 to 
8100. 


Superintend- 
ent Of pub- 


Certificate of 
birth or 


Readatsight 
and write 


The person 
issuing the 




Inspectors 
and truant 


Whoever em- 




ploys or per- 


lic schools 


baptism or 


legibly sim- 


certificate 




oflacers. 


mits a child 


or one au- 


other re- 


ple sentences 


must cer- 






to be em- 


thorized by 


ligious rec- 


in the Eng- 


tify that 






ployed, not 


him. 


ord, regis- 


lish lan- 


the child 






more than 




terofbirth, 


guage; must 


is physi- 






850; every 




or affida- 


have attend- 


cally able 






person au- 




vit of par- 


ed school at 


to per- 






thorized to 




ent. 


least 130 
days during 
the school 
.year previ- 
ous to apply- 
ing for such 
school rec- 
ord. 


form the 
work he 
or she in- 
tends to 
do. 






sign the cer- 
tificate, not 
more than 

850. 

Employer, not 
over 820 or 



























imprison- 














ment not 














over 60 days. 






Write his or 
her name 








Employer or 












parent; pre- 






and simple 








scribed in 






s e n t e nces, 
and shall 








section 1039 












of the Penal 






have attend- 








Code of Geor- 






ed school for 








gia, 1895. 






12 weeks of 














the preced- 














ing year, 6 














weeks of 














which must 














have been 














consecutive. 














Read at sight 






Probation of- 


Employer and 
parent, not 






and w r it e 






ficers or 






legibly sim- 






school 


more than 






ple sentences 






trustees. 


850; for the- 






in the Eng- 








atrical em- 






lish lan- 








ployment $50 






guage, and 








to $200 or im- 






has received 








prisonment 



60 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

III. Child Labor. — Employments prohibited, hours 



States. 


Employments prohibited. 


Houjs of labor. 


Certificate required 
for em.ployment. j 

1 


Idaho (contd). 


during public school hours. Un- 
der 16; Unless he meets educa-" 
tionai requirements. Under 16: 
In theatrical performances or in 
any business injurious to the 
health or dangerous to the life or 
limb of the child. 




i 
1 

i 

1 

1 
I 


Illinois 


Under 14: In any theater, concert 
hall, or place of amusement 


Under 14: Not more than 8 
hours a day nor before 7 a. 


Between 14 and 
16: Certificate of 


Sch. Laws, 1912. 




where intoxicating liquors are 


m. or after 6 p. m. Un- 


age and school- 




sold, or in any merchantile in- 


der 16: Not more than 48 


ing. 




stitution, store, office, hotel. 


hours a week, nor more 






laundry, manufacturing estab- 


than 8 hou rsaday,norbe- 






lishment, bowling alley, passen- 


rore 7 a. m. or after 7 p. m. 






ger or freight elevator, factory or 








workshop, or as messenger or 








driver thereof, or at any employ- 








ment for wages while the public 








schools are in session. Under 16: 








In extra hazardoas occupations. 








such as oiling machinery, opera- 








ting circular saws, etc. 






Indiana 


Under 14: In any gainful occupa- 
tion other than farm work or do- 


Under 16: Not more than 48 
hours a week nor more 


Between 14 and 
16: Age and 


Sess. L/aws, 1911 


and 1913. 


mestic service. Children be- 


than 8 hoin-s a day with- 


schooltrig'Certifi- 




tween 12 and 14 may work in 


out the written consent oi 


cate. 




canneries between Jime 1 and 


the parent, but in no event 






October 1. Under 16: In any 


more than 64 hours a week 






tobacco warehouse, cigar or other 


or 9 hours a day : not before 






tobacco factory, hotel, theater, 


7 a. m. nor after 6 p. m. 






or place of amusement, or in any 








employment injurious to health 








or morals. Under 16: In the op- 








eration of dangerous machinery. 








Bovs under 16 and girls under 








18: 'In any brewery, distillery, 








saloon concert hall, or any other 
establishment where malt or al- 














coholic liquors are manufac- 








tured, packed, wrapped, or bot- 








tled, or in dipping, dyeing, or 








packing matches or manmaeture 








of explosives. Girls under 18: 








In any capacity that requires 








constant standing. 






Iowa 


Under 14: In any mine, manufae- 
tming establishment, factory, 


Under 16: Not before 6 a. m. 
nor after 9 p. m.; not more 


Empioyer re- 
quired to post a 


Sess. Laws, 


1906. 


mill, shop, laundry, slaughter 
house, or packing house, or in 


than 10 hours a day, exclu- 


list of children 




sive of noon intermission. 


under 16, givmg 
name, date a 




any store or mercantile estab- 






lishment where more than 8 per- 




birth, ana tJste 




sons are employed, or in operaT> 




when employed. 




ing any freight or passenger ele- 
vator. Under 16; In any occu- 














pation where life and health are 








endangered. 




■ 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 

of labor, certificates, penalties, etc. — Continued. 



61 



By whom 
certificate is 
issued "r ap- 
proved. 


Proof of age 
required for 
certificate. 


Miaimum 
educational 
qualifications 
required for 
certitcate. 


Physical ex- 
amination 
for certificate. 


"Vacation 
certificate." 


liaw enforced 
by whom. 


Penalty for 
vioiatiou. 






1 n struoiioii 








not exceed- 






in spellmg, 
E n e 1 ) s h 








ing 6 months 












or both. 






grammar, 














B-nri 33Gf;Ta- 












phy, and is 












familiar with 












the funda- 












mental oper- 














a t i n s of 














a r i thmetic 














up to and 














including 














fractions or 














hq<? 3^rr;i- 














iar attain- 














ment in 














another lan- 










Sunerin- 
tendent of 


Last school 
census; 


guage. 
Read at sight 
and write 






Factory in- 
spector. 


Parents, So to 






$25; employ- 


SAhooia or 


ceitificate 


legibly sim- 








er. $.5 to $100; 


some one 


01 Dirth or 


ple sen- 








person au- 


authorized 


baptism; 


tences, un- 








thorized to 


by him. 


register of 
birth, rec- 
ords of 
public or 
p a rochial 
schools; af- 


less the child 
is a regular 
attendant at 
an evening 
school. 








sign employ- 
ment certifi- 
cate, $5 to 
$100. 




fidavit of 












parent. 












Executive 
officer of 


Certificate of 
birth or 


Passed the 
fifth grade. 


Official Issu- 
ing certifi- 




Inspector.... 


Any violator. 




$5 to $200, to 


the com- 


b a ptism, 




cate certi- 






which may 


mon school 


p a ssport. 




fies that 






be added im- 


corpora- 


or flrst- 




chnd IS 






p r i sonment 


tion. 


school 
enumera- 
tion in 
w h i c hi 
the age of 
the child 
a p p e ars, 
or by affi- 
davit. 


■ 


physically 




C m m i s - 
sioner ol 


for not more 
than 10 days; 
second of- 
fense, im- 
p r i sonment 
10 to 30 days. 

Employer and 












parent, not 












bureau of 


to exceed 




• 








labor sta- 
tistics, fac- 
tory in- 
spectors. 


$100 or im- 
prisonment 
not to exceed 
30 days. 










State mine 










1 


inspectors, 














county at- 














1 r n eys, 














mayors, 












* 


chiefs of 














police, city 














and town 














marshals, 














sheriffs, or 














anyone 














authorized 














by the 














judge 01 a 














oourc of 




■ 










records. 





62 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

III. Child Labor. — Employments prohibited, hours 



States. 



Employments prohibited. 



Hours of labor. 



Certiflcate required 
for employment. 



Kansas 

Sch. Laws, 1911. 



Kentucky 

Sch. Laws, 1912. 



Louisiana 

Sess. Laws, 
1906. 



Maine 

Sch. Laws, 1913. 



Maryland 

Sess. Laws, 
1912. 



Under. 14: In any factory, work- 
shop not owned or operated by 
the child's parent, any theater, 
or packing house, or operating 
elevators, or in or about any 
mine or in any business or serv- 
ice whatever during public- 
school hours. Under 16: In any 
occupation or at any place dan- 
gerous or injurious to life, limb, 
health, or morals. 

Under 14: In any factory, work- 
shop, mine, mercantile estab- 
lishment, store, business office, 
telegraph office, restaurant, 
hotel,' apartment house, or in the 
distribution or transmission of 
merchandise or messages, or in 
any business or service whatever 
during public-school hours. 
Under 16: In any occupation 
dangerous or injurious to limb, 
health, or morals. 

Boys under 12 and girls under 14: 
In any factory, mUl, warehouse, 
workshop, or manufacturing es- 
tablishment. 



Under 14: In any manufacturing 
or mechanical establishment, 
telephone or telegraph office, or 
in the delivery and transmission 
of telephone or telegraph mes- 
sages. 



Under 12: In any cannery or pack- 
ing establishment, store, office, 
boarding house, place of amuse- 
ment, club, or in the distribu- 
tion, transmission, or sale of mer- 
chandise. Under 14: In any 
mUI, factory, mechanical estab- 
lishment, tenement house, man- 
ufactory or workshop, office 
building, restaurant, bakery, 
barber snop, hotel, apartment 
house, bootblack establishment, 
public stable, garage, laundry, 
or as a driver, or in any brick or 
lumber yard, or in the construc- 
tion and repair of buildings, or as 
a messenger for telegraph, tele- 

Ehone, or message companies. 
I'nder 16: In connection with 
dangerous machinery or in any 
occupation dangerous to life or 
limb or injurious to the health or 
morals. Under 18: In blast fur- 
naces docks or wharves, elec- 
tric wires, elevators, hoisting 
machines or dynamos, cleaning 
machinery, switch tending, mo- 
tormen, etc. 



Under 16: Not more than 8 
hours a day nor more than 
48 hours in a week, nor 
before 7 a. m. or after 6 p. m, 



Under 16: xN'ot more than 60 
hours a week nor more 
than 10 hours a day, nor 
before ' a. m. or after 7 p. m. 



Under 18: Not more than 10 
hours a day nor more than 
60 hours a week, 1 hour a 
day being allowed for din- 
ner. 

Females under 18 or males 
under 16: Not more than 
10 hours in a day nor more 
than 58 hours in a week. 



Under 16: Em- 
ployers shall ob- 
tain an age cer- 
tificate. 



Employ ei" must 
keep on file an 
employment cer- 
tificate of chil- 
dren between 14 
and 10. 



Between 14 and 
16: An age and 
schooling certifi- 
cate. 



Under 16: Em- 
ployment cer- 
tificate. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 
of labor, certificates, penalties, etc. — Continued. 



63 



By whom 
certificate is 
issued or ap- 
proved. 


Proof of age 
required for 
certificate. 


Minimum 
educational 
qualifications 
required for 
certfficate. 


Physical ex- 
amination 
for certificate. 


"Vacation 
certfficate." 


Law enforced 
by whom. 


Penalty for 
violation. 


School offi- 


School cen- 








State factory 


Employer, $25 


cials cer- 


sus; affi- 








inspector, 


to §100 or im- 


tify to cen- 


davit of 








State in- 


p r i sonment 


sus record. 


parent to 
employer. 




• 




spector of 
mines. 


30 to 90 days. 


Superintend- 
ent of 


School rec- 
ord, pass- 


Read and 
write simple 






Labor in- 
spector. 


Parent or em- 






ployer, not 


schools or, 


port, cer- 


sentences in 








more than 


if none, by 


tificate of 


the English 








S50. For ev- 


the county 


birth or 


language. 








ery day such 


superin- 


baptism, 










employment 


tendent of 


record of 










continues af- 


schools. 


birth, affi- 
davit of 
parent. 








Factory in- 
spector. 


ter notice, S5 
to $20. 

Employer, $10 












to $25 or im- 














p r i sonment 














for not more 
than 30 days, 
or both. 


Superintend- 


Town clerk's 


Read at sight 


Persons issu- 




C m m i s - 


Employer or 


ent of 


record, cer- 


and write 


ing certifi- 




sioner of 


parent, $1 to 


schools. 


tificate of 


simple sen- 


cate may 




labor. 


$50. Those 




b ap tism, 


tences in the 


require a 






authorized to 




passport, 


English lan- 


health cer- 






sign age and 




or other 


guage, and 


tificate. 






schooling cer- 




document 


perform sim- 








tificate, $25 




satisfac- 


ple arith- 








to .$50. 




tory to the 


m e tica 1 












superin- 


problems in- 












tendent. 


volving the 
fundamental 
processes. 










In Balti- 


Birth cer- 


Read intelli- 


Ce r t ificate 


Va c a t i n 


Factory in- 


Employer or 


more by 


t i f icate. 


gently and 


signed by 


certificate 


spectors. 


parent, not 


the chief of 


p a ssport, 


legibly sim- 


a physi- 


e n t i t les 


attend- 


more than 


the Mary- 


school 


ple - sen- 


cian that 


child of 12 


ance offi- 


$50 for first 


land Bu- 


census af- 


tenses in 


Child Is 


to work 


cers. 


offense, and 


reau of 


fidavit 


the English 


physically 


except 




not more 


Statistics. 


of parent. 


language 


able to do 


when 




than $200 or 


In the 




and has 


the work 


school is 




Imprison- 


counties 




completed a 


a p p lied 


in session. 




ment for not 


by the 




course of 


for. 






more than 30 


county su- 




study equiv- 




■ 




days for sec- 


p e rinten- 




alent to five 








ond offense. 


dent of 




yearly 








Those issu- 


schools. 




grades in 
reading, 
spelling, 
writing, 
English lan- 
guage and 
geography, 
and is fa- 
miliar with 
the funda- 
mental op- 
eration of 
a r i thmetic 
up to and 
including 
fractions. 








ing certifi- 
cates not 
more than 
$100. 



64 



COMPXJLSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE, 

III. Child Labor. — Employments prohibited, hours 



states. 


Employments prohibited. 


Hours of labor. 


Certificate required 
for employment. 


Massachusetts 


Under 14: In any factorv, work- 


Under 14: Not before 6 a. m. 


Under 16: Age and 


Sch. Laws, 1911. 


shop, or mercantile estabiish- 


nor after -7 p. m. 


schooling certifi- 




ment, or ia any work while the 




cate- 




public schools are in session. 
Minors to whom tnis law applies 














may work on Saturdays between 








6 a. m. and 7 p. m. 






Michigan 


Under 14: In any mercantDe insti- 
tution, store, office, hotel, laun- 


Males under 18: Not more 
than an average of 9 hours 


Under 16: Permit. 


Sess. Laws, 


1911. 


dry, manulacturing establish- 


a day or 64 hours a week. 






ment, mine, bowling alley, thea- 


nor more than 10 hours a 






ter, passenger or freight elevator. 


dav. Under 16: Not be- 






im;tory or workshop, telegraph 


tween 6 p. m. and 6 a. m. 






or messenger service. Under 16: 








In any theater, variety show. 








movine-picture show, burlesque 








show, or other kind of playhouse. 








music or dance hall, pool room 








or biUiard room; may be em- 








ployed by traveling theatrical 








companies for acting a part. 








Females under 21 and males un- 








der 18: In any employment or 








where their health may be in- 








jured or morals depraved. Un- 








der 21: m any theater, concert 








hall, or place of amusement 








where intoxicating liquors are 








sold. 






Minnesota 


Under 14: In anv factorv, mill, or 


Under 18: Not more than '^n 


Between 14 and 16: 


Sch. Laws, 


workshop, in any mine, in the 


hours in a week nor more 


Age and scnool- 


1911: Sess. 


construction oi any ouiiding, or 


than 10 hours in a day, or 


ing certificate. 


Laws, 1913. 


about any engineering work, or 


boiore 7 a. zn. or after 7 






in any employment during the 


p.m. 






school term excent for theatrical 








exhibitions or concerts on con- 








sent of mayor or president of the 








council. Under 16: In any em- 








plovment dangerous to the life, 
health, or morals of such chil- 




* 










dren. 







ATTENDANCE LAWS. 

of labor, cerLiJicates, penalties, etc. — Continued. 



65 



By whom 
certificate is 
issued or ap- 
proved. 


Proof of age 
reqiiired for 
certificate. 


Minimum 
educational 
qualifications 
required for 

certificate. 


Physical ex- 
amination 
for certificate. 


"Vacation 
certificate." 


Law enforced 
by whom. 


Penalty for 
violation. 


Superintend- 


Cert ificate 


Read at sight 


Person issu- 




Inspector of 


Employer or 


ent of 


of birth or 


and write 


ing certifi- 




fac tories 


parent, not 


schools. 


baptism. 


legibly sim- 


cate must 




and tru- 


more than 




town 


ple sen- 


have a 




ant offi- 


S300 or im- 




clerk's 


tences in 


certificate 




cers. 


prisonment 




register, 


the English 


from a 






for not more 




other evi- 


language. 


physician. 






thanGmonths 




dence un- 




or a writ- 






or both. For 




der oath. 


• 


ten record 
in the 
s ch 1 s 
made 
within a 
year re- 
gar d i ng 
child's 
health. 






every day 
after notice 
has been 
served, $20 
to $100, or im- 
prisonment 
for not more 
than 6 
months. For 
forging a cer- 
tificate, SlOO 
to $500 or im- 
prisonment 
for not less 
than 3 
months nor 
more than 
1 year, or 
both fine 
and impris- 
onment. 


S uper in- 


Passport, 


A 1 1 e n dance 


P h y s ician 


Limited va- 


Factory in- 


Any violator, 


tendent of 


record of 


100 days dur- 


officially 


cation per- 


spectors. 


$10 to $100 or 


schools or 


birth r 


ing year pre- 


connected 


mits grant- 




imprison- 


county 


baptism 


vious to ar- 


with the 


ed. Child 




ment 10 to 90 


commis- 


or other 


riving at 14 


board of 


to report 




days. 


sioner of 


religious 


or during 


health in 


once a 






schools. 


record. If 


year previ- 


d u btful 


month to 








none of 


ous to apply- 


cases. 


person 








these can 


ing for cer- 




who issued 








be pro- 


tificate; read 




permit. 








duced, a 


intelligently 












statement 


and write 












from a 


legibly; sat- 












p hysician 


isfactory 












of the 


c mpletion 












board of 


of fourth 












health cer- 


grade. 












tifying the 














age of the 














child. 












S uperin- 
tendent of 


School rec- . 
ord, birth 


Read and 
write simple 


In doubtful 
cases f 




C m m i s - 
sioner o f 


Employer o r 




parent, not 


schools or. 


certificate 


sentences in 


p h y s ical 




labor. 


more than 


if none, by 


or affida- 


English; in- 


fitness the 






$50; for every 


chair man 


vit of pa- 


struction in 


m e d i c al 






day after be- 


f s c hool 


rent. 


reading , 


officer of 






iug notified, 


board. 




spelling, 
writing, En- 
glish gram- 
m a r, and 
geography, 
and famil- 
iarity with 
the " funda- 
mental op- 
eration in 
arithmetic, 
i n c 1 uding 
fractions. 


the board 
of health. 






$5 to $25. 



14426°— 14- 



66 



COMPULSOKY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

III. Child Labor. — Employments prohibited, hours 



States. 


Employments prohibited. 


Hours of labor. 


Certificate requii-ed 
for employment. 


Mississippi 


Boys under 12 or girls under 14: 


Boys under 16 or girls under 


Affidavit of par- 


Sess. Laws, 


In any miU, factory, manufac- 


18: Not more than 8 hours 


ent to employer 


1912. 


turing establishment or cannery. 


in a day or more than 48 


that child is 16. 




Under 16: In any occupation 


hours in a week, or be- 






without consent of parent. 


tween 7 p. m. and 6 a. m. 




Missouri 


Boys under 10 and girls under 16: 
Selling newspapers, etc. Under 


Under 16: Not more tlian 48 
hours in a week nor more 


Under 16: Age and 
schooling cer- 


Sch. Laws, 


1911. 


14: In any gainful occupation. 


than 8 hours a day, nor be- 


tificate. 




except at agricultural pursuits 


tween 7 p. m. and 7 a. m. 






and in domestic service. Under 








16: In any employment danger- 








ous to life and limb or injinious 








to the health or morals. 






Montana 


Under 14: In any employment 
while the public schools are in 




do 


Sch. Laws, 






191.3. 


session. 






Nebraska 


Under 14: In any theater, concert 


Under 17: Not more than 48 


Under 16: Age and 


Sess. Laws, 


haU, or place of amusement, or 


hours a week nor more 


schooling. 


1907. 


any place where intoxicating 


than 8 hours a day, nor 






liquors are sold, or in any mer- 


before 6 a. m. or after 8 






cantile institution, store, office. 


p. m. 






hotel, laundry, manufacturing 
establishment, bowling alley. 














passenger or freight elevator. 








factory or workshop, or as a mes- 








senger or driver thereof, or in 








any business or service when the 








public schools are in session. 








Under 16: In any work danger- 








ous to the life or Umb, or in which 








the child's health or morals may 








be injured. 






Nevada 


Males under 14 and females under 
16: In any store, shop, factory. 




Males under 14 
and females un- 


Rev. Laws, 




1912, 6823-4. 


mine, or any inside employment 




der 16: Written 




not connected with farm or 




permit. 




housework. Under 18: In any 








mendicant occupation, indecent 








or immoral exhibition or prac- 








tice; any practice or exliibition 








dangerous or injurious to life. 








Umb, health, or morals, as mes- 








senger for delivering communi- 








cations or merchandise to any 








house of prostitution, etc. 






New Hampshire. 


Under 14: In any mill, factory, 


Boys under 16 and girls un- 


Under 16: Age and 


Sess. Laws, 


workshop, quarry, mercantile 


der 18, in other than do- 


schooling. 


1911: Sess. 


estabUshment, tenement house, 


mestic service or work on 




Laws, 1913. 


manufactory or workshop, store. 


the farm: Not more than 






business oflice, telegraph or tele- 


58 hours a week nor more 






phone office, restaurant, bakery, 


11 hours a day, nor be- 






hotel, barber shop, apartment 


tween 7 p. m. and 6 a. m. 






house, bootblack stand or parlor. 








or in the distribution or trans- 








mission of merchandise or mes- 








sages. 




^ 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 

of labor, certificates, penalties, etc. — rontinued. 



67 



By whom 
certificate is 
issued or ap- 
proved. 


Proof of age 
required for 
certificate. 


Minimum 
educational 
qualifleix Lions 
required for 
, certificate. 


Physical ex- 
amination 
for certfficate. 


"Vacation 
certificate." 


Law enforced 
by whom. 


Penalty for 
violation. 












Sherifi' o f 
county; 


Employer or 












parent,. 150 to 












county 


$100 or im- 












healta ofli- 


prisonment 












cers. 


10 to 60 days, 
or both. 


























Failure o f 














employer to 














give informa- 














tion, SIO to 














SIOO. 


Superin- 


School rec- 


Read and 


Persons is- 




Factory in- 


Violation o f 


tendent of 


ord, pass- 


write legibly 


suing cer- 




spector. 


any provi- 
sions, fine of 


schools or, 


port, cer- 


simple sen- 


tificate 






if none, by 


tificate of 


tences in the 


may re- 






not more 


some one 


birth r 


English lan- 


quest a 






than $100 or 


authorized 


bap tism, 
affidavit of 


guage. 


m e d i c al 






by imprison- 


by the 




officer of 






ment not ex- 


board. 


parent. 




the board 
of health 
or a li- 
cen s e d 
physician 
to deter- 
mine phy- 
sical fit- 
ness. 






ceeding one 
year, or both. 


Superin- 
tendent 


Some satis- 
factory 


Read intelli- 
gently and 






Truant offi- 
cers. 


Any violator, 






$25 to 150. 


of schools; 


proof. 


write legibly 










i n other 




the English 










d i s t ri c ts 




language. 










clerk of 














board of 
trustees. 
Superin- 












School rec- 


Read and 


In doubtful 




Deputy com- 


Employer and 


tendent 


ord, pass- 


write legibly 


cases of 




missioner 


parent, not 


of schools 


port, cer- 


simple sen- 


physical 




of labor. 


more than 


or, if none. 


tificate of 


tences in 


fitness, a 




truant 


8150 for first 


b y s m e 


birth r 


English. 


medical 




officer,and 


offense; for 


one author- 


baptism or 




officer of 




county at- 


every day 


ized by the 


other re- 




the board 




torney. 


employed 


school dis- 


ligious or 




of health. 






after notice 


trict offi- 


official rec- 




or a physi- 






has been 


cers. 


ord, affi- 
davit of 
parent. 




cian ap- 
proved by 
the State 
board of 
inspectors. 






served, S5 to 
S20; persons 
authorized to 
sign certifi- 
cates, not 
more than 
S50. 


Judge of 
county dis- 












Employer or 












parent,guilty 


trict court. 












of m i s d e- 
meanor. 


Superin- 
tendent 


School rec- 
ord, pass- 


Completed 
course of 


C e r t i flcate 
from a 




Truant offi- 
cers; State 


Employer o r 




parent, $5 to 


of schools 


port, cer- 


study pre- 
sented lor 


me d i cal 




factory in- 


$200 or. im- 


or, if none. 


tificate of 


officer of 




spector. 


prison me nt 


by a per- 
son author- 


birth r 


the elemen- 


the board 






10 to 30 days, 


bap tism, 


tary schools. 


of health. 






or both; for 


ized b y 


or public 




or a physi- 






every day, 


school 


record. 




cian d es- 






after notice 


board. 






ignated by 
school 






$5 to $20; per- 
sons author- 


















board. 






ized to sign 
certificates, So 
to $200 or im- 
prisonment; 
s up er in- 
tendents of 


























schools, $5 to 














$25. 



68 



COMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

III. Child Labor.^ — Employments 'prohibited, hours 



Employments prohibited. 



Hours of labor. 



Certificate required 
for employment. 



New Jersey 

Sess. Laws, 
1904,1911,1913, 



New Mexico 

New York 

Sch. Laws, 
1912. 



North CaroUna. . . 
Sch. Laws, 
1913. 



North Dakota . . 
Sch. Laws, 
1911. 



Ohio 

Sess. Laws, 
1913. 



Under 14: In any factory, work- 
shop, mill or place where manu- 
facture is carried on; or in any 
mercantile establishment dur- 
ing school hours. Under 21, in 
any first-class city or under 18 in 
other mimicipalities: As mes- 
senger for any telegraph, tele- 
phone, or messenger corporation, 
etc., before 5 a. m. or after 10 
p. m. 



Under 16, in any factory 
workshop, or naiU: Not 
more than 10 hours a day 
or 55 hoius a week, or be- 
fore 6 a. m. or after 6 p.m.; 
in any mercantile estab- 
lishment not more than 58 
hours a week or between 
7 p. m. and 7 a. m. 



Under 16: Age and 
schooling. 



Boys under 10 and girls under 16: 
Selling newspapers, magazines, 
or periodicals in any public place. 
Under 14: In any factory, in 
any business or service what- 
ever during public-shool hours. 
Under 16: la any mercantile es- 
tablishment, business oflBice, tel- 
egraph office, restatirant, hotel, 
apartment house, theater or 
other place of amusement, bowl- 
ing alley, barber shop, shoe- 
poUshing estabUshment, or in 
the distribution or transmission 
of merchandise or messages. 



Under 12: In any factory or manu- 
facturing establishment. Be- 
tween 12 and 13: In any factory 
except as an apprentice, and 
then only after having attended 
school 4 months in preceding 12. 



Under 14: In any mine, factory, 
workshop, mercantile establish- 
ment, store, business office, tele- 
graph office, restaurant, hotel, 
apartment house, or la the dis- 
tribution or transmission of mer- 
chandise or messages, or in any 
business whatever during the 
hours the public schools are in 
session. Under 16: In any em- 

Eloyments dangerous to life or 
mb or where health may be in- 
jured or morals depraved. 
Under 15: In any business what- 
ever during public school hours. 
Males under 15 and females 
under 16: In any mill, factory, 
workshop, mercantile or me- 
chanical establishment, tene- 
ment house, manufactory or 
workshops, store, office, office 
building, restaurant, boarding 
house, bakery, barber shop, 
hotel, apartment house, boot- 
black establishment, public 
stable, garage, laundry, place of 



Under 16: Not more than 6 
days or 54 hoius a week 
nor more than 9 hours a 
day, nor between 10 p. m. 
and 7 a. m. In cities of 
the first class, not after 7 
p. m. 



Under 16: Not between 9 
p. m. and 6 a. m. 



Under 16: Not more than 48 
hours in a week, nor more 
than 8 hours in a day, nor 
before 7 a. m. or after 7 
p.m. 



Boys under 16 and girls 
under 18: Not more than 6 
days a week, nor more 
than 48 hours a week, nor 
more than 8 hours a day, 
nor between 6 p. m. and 7 
a. In. Boys under 18 and 
girls under 21: Not more 
than 6 days a week, nor 
more than 54 hours a week, 
or between 10 p. m. and 6 
a. m. 



Under 16: Age and 
schooling. 



Under 16: Certifi- 
cate of age and 
schooling. 



Between 14 and 
16: Age and 
schooling. 



Boys under 16 and 
girls vmder 18: 
Age and school- 
tag. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 

of labor, certificates, penalties, etc. — Continued. 



69 







Minimum 










By whom 
certificate is 
issued or ap- 
proved. 


Proof of age 
required for 
certificate. 


educational 

qualifications 

required for 

certificate. 


Physical ex- 
amination 
for certificate. 


"Vacation 
certificate." 


Law enforced 
by whom. 


Penalty for 
violation. 


Superin- 
tendent 


Transcript, 
pas sport, 


Attended 
school a t 


C e r t i ficate 
from medi- 




Commis- 
sioner f 


E mplo y er 
and parent. 




or super- 


such other 


leastlSOdays 


cal inspec- 
tor that 




labor; any 


$50. 


vising prin- 


s a t i sfac- 


the twelve 




ins pector 




cipal. 


tory docu- 


months pre- 


child is 




or truant 






m e n tary 


ceding ap- 


physically 




officer. 






evidence 


plication; 


able to 










or certifi- 


read intelli- 


work. 










cate from 


gently and 












two physi- 


write legibly 












cians that 


simple sen- 












child is 14. 


tences in 
English; 
completion 
of fifth grade. 










Commis- 
sioner o f 


Birthi cer- 
tificate, 


Attended 
school not 






Factory in- 
spector. 


For violating 






child-labor 


health o r 


pas sport. 


less than 130 








law, first of- 


person au- 


or baptis- 


days during 








fense, $20 to 


t h r ized 


misal cer- 


the twelve 








S50; for each 


by him. 


tificate, or 
affidavit if 
no other 
evidence is 
accessible, 
or physi- 
cian's cer- 
tificate in 
cities of the 
first class. 


months pre- 
ceding the 
14th birth- 
day or dur- 
ing the 12 
months next 
p r e c e ding 
application; 
read and 
write simple 
sentences in 
English and 
completion 
of first six 
grades. 








subsequent 
oflense,$50 to 
$200. 


A certificate 
from par- 




School attend- 
ance 4 






County su- 
perintend- 


Employer or 








parent. 


ent giving 




months in 






ent shall 


guilty of a 


name and 




the preced- 






i n v e s t i- 


m i s d e - 


age of 




ing 12. 






gate and 


meanor. 


child and, 










report to 




if under 13 










the solic- 




and more 










itor of the 




than 12, 










j u d i c ial 




stating 










district. 




that child 














has at- 














tended 4 














months in 














p r seeding 
12. 
S u p e r i n- 
tendent of 














School rec- 
ord, pass- 


Read and 
legibly write 


In doubtful 
cases of 




School board 


Any violator, 




$20 to $50. 


schools; if 


port, certi- 


simple sen- 


p h y sical 








none, clerk 


ficate of 


tences in 


fitness by 








of school 


birth or 


English. 


a medical 








board. 


b a ptism 
or other 
r e 1 igious 
record , 
public 
record, af- 
fidavit of 
parent. 
Passport, 




officer of 
board of 
health. 








S u perinten- 


Sixth grade 


A certificate 


May be 


Factory in- 


Employer or 


dent of 


certiiica t e 


test if a male 


of the 


gran ted 
Doys un- 


s p e c tors. 


parent, 85 to 


schools; if 


of birth or 


and seventh 


school 


truant of- 


$50; for a sec- 


none, clerk 


baptism or 


grade test if 


physician 


der 16 and 


ficers, and 


ond offense, 


of the 


other reli- 


a female. 


or of the 


girls under 


others. 


$50 to $200, or 


board of 


gious rec- 




b a r d of 


18. 




by impris- 


education. 


ord, pub- 
lic register, 
school cen- 
sus. If 
no::?, of 
tiio above, 




health. 






onment for 
not more 
than 30 days, 
or both; for a 
third offense, 
not les'j than 
$200 or im- 



70 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

III. Child Labor. — Employments prohibited, hours 



States. 



Employments prohibited. 



Hours of labor. 



Certificate required 
for em^plosrment. 



Ohio (contd). 



Oklahoma 

Sess. Laws, 
1909. 



Oregon 

Sess. Laws, 
1905. 



Pennsylvania. .. 
Sess. Laws 
1909. 



amusement, club, or as a driver, 
or in any brick or lumber yard, 
or in the construction or repair 
of buildings, or in the distribu- 
tion, transmission, or sale of 
merchandise. Boys under 15 or 
females under 21: In the trans- 
mission of messages. Under 16: 
In any occupation dangerous to 
life and limb, or injurious to the 
health or morals. Under 18: In 
blast furnaces, dynamos, as tele- 
graph operators, etc. 
Under 14: In any factory, work- 
shop, theater, bowUng alley, 
pool hall, steam laundry, or m 
any occupation injurious to 
health or morals or hazardous 
to life and limb. Under 16: In 
any especially hazardous occu- 
pation. 



Under 14: In any factory, store, 
workshop, mine, the telegraph, 
telephone, or public messenger 
service, or in any business dur- 
ing school hours. 



Under 14: In mercantile establish- 
ments, stores; telegraph, tele- 
phone, or other busmess offices; 
hotels, restaurants, or in any 
factory, workshop, rolling mills, 
bituminous or anthracite coal 
mines. Under 16: In mercantile 
establishments, telegraph, tele 
phone, or other business offices 
hotels, restaurants, factories 
workshops, rolling mUls, or haz- 
ardous occupations. Under 18: 
In especially hazardous occupa- 
tions. 



Under 16: Not more than 8 
hours a day, except for 
agricultural or domestic 
service. Boys under 16 or 
girls under 18: Between 6 
p. m. and 7 a. m. 



Under 16: Age and 
schooling. 



Under 16: Not more than 10 
hours a day, nor more 
than 6 days a week, nor 
between 6 p. m. and 7 a. m. 



.do. 



Males under 16 and females 
imder 18: Not more than 
10 hours a day (except to 
make a shorter workday 
for one day in the week), 
nor more than 58 hours a 
week, nor between 9 p. m. 
and 6 a. m. 



Between 14 and 
16: Age and 
schooling. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 



71 



of labor, certificates, penalties, etc. — Continued. 



By whom 
certificate is 
issued or ap- 
proved. 


Proof of age 
required for 
certificate. 


Minimum 
educational 
qualifications 
required for 
certificate. 


Physical ex- 
amination 
for certificate. 


"Vacation 
certificate." 


Law enforced 
by whom. 


Penalty for 
violation. 




cate from 










prisonment 




the school 










not more 




physician. 










than 60 days, 
or both. For 
every day 
after notice 
an employer, 
$5 to S20. 
Persons sign- 
ing any cer- 
tificate, $25 
to SIOO. 


County su- 
perintend- 


Last school 
census. 


Read and 
write simple 


In doubtful 

cases by 




C m m i s- 
sioner of 


Any violator, 




$10 to S50 or 


ent. 


certificate 


sentences in 


medical 




labor. 


imprison- 




of birth. 


English. 


officer of 






ment 10 to 30 




or the reg- 




the board 






days, r 




ister of 




of health. 






both. 




city or 














county, or 














an affi- 














davit by a 














physician, 
or school 


























record, or 














a n affi- 














davit by 














parent if 














the child 














appears 














to be of 












S u p 6 r i n- 
tendent of 


proper age. 

Last school 

censu s , 


Read at sight 
and write 






Board of in- 
spectors of 


Employer, $10 






to $25 for first 


schools or, 


c e r t ifl - 


legibly sim- 






child la- 


oflense; $25 


if none. 


cate of 


ple s e n - 






bor. 


to $50 for 


some one 


birthj or 


tences in 








second of- 


authorized 


baptism. 


Eng 1 i s h ; 








fense; for 


by the 


or other 


school at- 








third oflense, 


board of 


religious 


tendance 160 








imprison- 


school di- 


record or 


days during 








ment 10 to 30 


rectors. 


public reg- 
ister. 


the school 
year pre- 
vious to ar- 
riving at 14 
or during 
the year 
previous to 
applying for 
a school rec- 
ord ; instruc- 
tion in read- 
ing, spelling, 
writing , 
English 
g r a m m ar, 
geography, 
and famil- 
iarity with 
the funda- 
mental 
p e r ations 
in arith- 
metic, in- 
cluding frac- 








davs. Parent, 
S5to$25. 






tions. 






Superintend- 
ent, or, if 


Birth certifi- 
cate or 


Read and 
write the 






Chief factory 
inspector. 


Any violator, 






$10 to $25 or 


none, prin- 


baptismal 


English lan- 








10 days im- 


cipal, or 


certificate. 


guage intel- 








p r isonment. 


sec retary 


p a ssport. 


ligently. 








or both. 


of the 


or other 












school 


r e 1 igious 












board. 


record , 
school rec- 
ord, affi- 
davit of 
parent. 













72 



COMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

III. Child Labor.^ — Employments prohibited, hours 



States. 


Eniplo3anents prohibited. 


fiours of labor. 


Certificate required 
for employment. 


Porto Rico 


Under 14: In any lucrative occu- 


Under 16: Not more than 6 


Under 18: Age 


Sess. Laws, 


pation during school hours, un- 
less child has done the work for 


hours a day, nor more than 


and schooling. 


1913. 


36 hours a week in any es- 






admission to the fourth grade of 


tablishment, nor more 






the public rural schools, or has 


than 8 hours a day, nor 






passed the eighth grade of the 


more than 48 hours a week 






public graded schools. Boys 


in any agricultural estate. 






under 12 and girls under 14: Sell- 


nor in any lucrative occu- 






ing newspapers, candies, or other 


pation between 6 p.m. and 






merchandise in any of the streets 


6 a. m. 






or public squares nor working as 








bootblacks in said places during 








public-school hours. 






Rhode Island 


Under 14: In any factory, manu- 


Under 16: Between 8 p. m. 


Under 16: Age 


Sess. Laws, 


facturing or business establish- 


and 6 a. m. except Satur- 


and schooling. 


1910; Sess. 


ment. Under 16: Cleaning ma- 


days and the four days 




Laws, 1913. 


chinery while in motion. 


immediately preceding 
Christmas. 




Soutli Carolina. . . 


Under 12: In any mine, factory, or 


Under 16: Between 8 p. m. 


Sworn statement 


Sess. Laws, 


textile establishment. 


and 6 a. m., unless to make 


from parent to 


1911. 


' 


up lost time, but not later 


e m p 1 yer re- 






than 9 p. m. 


garding child's 
age, if under 14. 


South Dakota 


Under 14: In any factory or work- 


Under 16: Not more than 10 


Under 14: Age 


Segs. Laws, 


shop, mine, or any mercantile 


hours a day or 60 hours a 


and schooling. 


1913. 


establishment excepting during 


week; but on Saturday 






vacation of public school. Un- 


and for 10 days prior to 






der 16: Any occupation danger- 
ous to life, health, or morals. 


Christmas child may work 






imtil 10 p. m. 




Tennessee 


Under 14: In any mUl, factory, 
workshop, laundry, telegraph. 


« 


Sworn statement 
by parent giv- 


Sess. Laws, 




1911; Sess. 


or telephone office, or in the dis- 




ing place and 


Lawsj 1913. 


tribution or transmission of mer- 




date of birth of 




chandise or messages. Under 




chDd. 




16: Occupations dangerous to 








life or limb. Under 18: Messen- 








ger for a telegraph or messenger 








company or deliver goods before 








5 a. m. and after 10 p. m. 






Texas 


Under 15: In any manufacturing 
or other establishment using 






Sess. Laws, 






1913. 


dangerous machinery, any dis- 
tillery, brewery, or in the manu- 
facture of goods for immoral pur- 
poses, or where the child's health 
may be impaired or morals de- 














based. Under 17: In any 








quarry or mine. 







ATTENDANCE LAWS. 
of labor, certificates, penalties, etc. — Continued. 



73 



By whom 
certificate is 
issued or ap- 
proved. 


Proof of age 
required for 
certificate. 


Minimum 

educational 

qualifications 

required for 

certificate. 


Physical ex- 
amination 
for certificate. 


"Vacation 
certificate." 


Law enforced 
by whom. 


Penalty for 
violation. 


The alcalde 


Public regis- 


Prepared for 






Bureau of 


Employer, $25 


of the mu- 


ter, bap- 


admission to 






labor. 


to $100; for 


nicipality. 


tismal cer- 
t i f i cate, 


fourth grade 
of public ru- 
ral schools 








V i 1 at i ons 
after first, 




affid a V it 








,?100 to $1,000. 




of parent. 


or passed 












If none of 


eighth grade 












these, affi- 


of public 












davit of 


graded 












two hon- 


schools. 












orable per- 














sons of the 
locality. 
Birth certifi- 












School com- 


Read at sight 
and write leg- 


Physical ex- 
amination 




Factory in- 


Any violator, 


mittee or 


cate bap- 




spector. 


not more than 


some person 


tismal cer- 


ibly simple 


by a li- 






$500. 


appoin ted 


tificate, 


sentences in 


censed phy- 








by the com- 


passport, or 


English. 


sician. 








mittee. 


other satis- 
factory evi- 
dence. 








Comm is- 
sioner of 


Employer or 












parent, $10 to 












agricul- 


$50 or impris- 












ture, eom- 


onment for 












m e r c e , 


not more than 












and indus- 


30 days. 












tries. 




County su- 
perint e nd- 




Read and 
write simple 






Places of em- 
ploym e n t 


Any violator, 








SIO to $100 or 


ent. 




sentences in 
English, or a 
regular at- 
tendant at 
some school, 
or during the 
past 12 
months has 
attended 
school as re- 
quired by 
law. If be- 
tween 14 and 
16 and un- 
able to read 
and write, 
child must at- 
tend school 
as provided 
for children 
between 8 
and 14. 






subject to 
visitat i o n 
by the 
county su- 
pertatend- 
ent. 


imprisonment 
for not more 
than 30 days, 
or both. 

Employer or 














parent, not 


• 












more than $25. 














Employer, $50 










1 


to .$200; each 














day consti- 














tutes a seua- 














rate oflense. 



74 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTE]SrDA]S"CE. 

III. Child Labor. — Employments prohibited, hours 



States. 



Utali 

Sess. Laws. 
1911. 



Vermont 

S c h . Laws, 
1911; Sess. 
Laws, 1912. 



Virginia. 

Code of 1910; 
Sess. Laws, 
1912. 



Washington 

Sch. Laws, 
1909. 



West Virginia. . . 
Sch. Laws, 
191L 



Employments prohibited. 



Hours of labor. 



Under 14: In manufacture of 
paints, colors, or white lead; 
manufacturing, packing, or stor- 
ing of powder, dynamite, nitro- 
glycerin compounds, fuses, or 
other explosives; manufacture of 
goods for immoral purposes; nor 
m any quai'ry, any mine, coal 
breaker, laundry, tobacco ware- 
house, cigar factory, or other fac- 
tory where tobacco is manufac- 
tured or prepai'ed; distillery, 
brewery, or any other establish- 
ment where malt or alcoholic 
1 i q u o r s are manufactured, 
packed, wrapped, or bottled; 
theater, concert hall, saloon, or 
in operating any automobile, 
motor car, or truck; or the run- 
ning or management of elevators, 
lifts, or hoisting machines; or in 
bowling alleys; or in any other 
employment declared by the 
State board of health to be dan- 
gerous to lives or limbs, or inju- 
rious to the health or morals of 
children under 14. 

Under 12: In any mill, factory, 
quarry, workshop, or in deliver- 
ing messages. Under 14: In 
any mill, factory, quarry, or 
workshop wherein more than 
10 persons are employed. Un- 
der 16: All employments dan- 
gerous to life or Limb and injuri- 
ous to health. In raikoading, 
mining, manufacturing, or quar- 
rying, or in a hotel, bowling 
alley, or in delivering messages, 
except during vacation and 
after school, unless elementary 
school course has been com- 
pleted. 

Under 14: In any factor>, work- 
shop, mercantile establishment, 
or mine, unless child is 12 years 
of age and is an orphan, or 
parents are dependent upon 
chUd. Child may work in any 
factory, workshop, mercantile 
establishment, mine, or other 
place owned and operated by 
parent. 

Under 14: In any factory, mill, 
workshop, or store at any time. 
Under 15: For any purpose 
during school hoiKs unless child 
presents a certificate. Under 
19: PubUc messenger in any 
city of the first class. 

Under 14: In any factory, mill, 
workshop, or manufacturing es- 
tablishment, or in any business 
whatever during puV)lic school 
hours, without written permis- 
sion from the State commis- 
sioner of labor or county super- 
tendent. 



Boys under 14 ajid girls un- 
der 16: Not more than 54 
hours a week, except do- 
mestic service, fruit or veg- 
etable packing, or farm 
work. Under 21 : In cities 
of first or second class as 
messengers between 9 p. 
m. and 5 a. m. 



Under 16: Not more than 9 
hom-s a day, nor more 
than 50 hours a week, nor 
between 8 p. m. and 7 a. m. 



Under 14: Not more than 
10 hours a day. 



Certificate required 
for employment. 



Age and school- 
ing, if 14. 



Under 16: Age and 
schooling. 



Between 12 and 
14: If dependent 
or if parents are 
dependent, a cer- 
tificate to that 
effect. 



Under 15: Age 
and schooling. 



Lge and school- 
ing for children 
under 16. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 



75 



of labor, certificates, penalties, etc. — Continued. 



By whom 
certificate is 
issued or ap- 
proved. 


Proof of age 
required for 
certificate. 


Minuniun 

educational 

qualifications 

required for 

certificate. 


Physical ex- 
amination 
for certificate. 


"Vacation 
certificate." 


Law enforced 
by whom. 


Penalty for 
violation. 


Superlntend- 


School rec- 


Read and leg- 






Inspect r s. 


Employer or 


e n t of 


ord. 


ibly write 






truant offi- 


parent, $25 to 


schools or, 




simple sen- 






cers. 


$200 or im- 


ifnone,bya 




tences in Eng- 








prisoned 10 to 


person au- 




lish and 








30 days, or 


thorized by 




school at- 








both. 


the school 




tendance not 










board. 




less than 100 
days the year 
previous to 
arriving at 
the age of 14, 
or during the 
year previous 
to applying 
for certificate. 










Town or 
union su- 










County and 
munici- 


Any violator, 










$.5 to Sf200, 


perintend- 










pal courts 


and upon a 


ent. 










and jus- 
tices. Tru- 
a n t offi- 
cers and 
aU inform- 
i u g offl- 
cers au- 
t ho rized 
to make 
complaint. 


second con- 
viction may 
be so fined 
or impris- 
oned for not 
more than 6 
months. 


Circuit 
court, cor- 










Commis- 
sioner f 


Employer o r 










parent, $25 


p oration 










labor. 


to $100; any 


court of 












violator of 


city, judge 












clauses regu- 


thereof, 












lating hours 


mayor. 












of labor, $5 


justice of 












to $20. 


the peace. 














Superin- 




Reason- 






Attendance 


Employer or 


tendent of 




able pro- 






off icer 


parent, not 


schools, or 




ficiency i n 






makes 


more than 


county su- 




branches 






complaint. 


$25. 


p e r i n - 




taught in 










tendent. 




first eight 
grades. 










Sup erin- 
tendent of 


School rec- 


Read and 


In cases of 




Prosecuting 


Any violator, 


ord, pass- 


^VTite legibly 


doubt. 




attorney. 


$10 to $50. 


schools or. 


port. 


simple sen- 


a certifi- 








if none, by 


school 


tences in 


cate from 








a person 


census. 


English and 


a medical 








authorized 


affidavit. 


i n s t r u c - 


officer of 








by the lo- 




tion equiva- 


the board 








cal school 




lent to that 


of health 








board. 




of the first 
four grades. 


or by a 
physician 
appointed 
by the 
board. 









76 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDAIfCB. 

III. Child Labor. — Employments prohibited, hours 



States. 



Employments prohibited. 



Hours of labor. 



Certificate required 
for employment. 



Wisconsin. 



Wyoming 

Compiled Stat., 
1910, sees. 
3101-5-7. 



Under 14: In any factory, manu- 
facturing establishment or work- 
shop, store, hotel, restaurant, 
or bakery, mercantile establish- 
ment, laundry, telegraph, tele- 
phone, or pubUc messenger serv- 
ice, delivery of merchandise or 
any gainful occupation or em- 
ployment directly or indirectly. 
Between 14 and 16: In any fac- 
tory, or workshop, store, hotel, 
restaurant, bakery, mercantile 
establishment, laundry, tele- 
graph, telephone, or public mes- 
senger service, or the delivery of 
any merchandise, or any gain- 
ful occupation or employment 
directly or indirectly without a 
permit. Under 16: Employ- 
ments dangerous to life or Qmb, 
injurious to the health or de- 
praving to the morals of the 
child. Under 18: Blastfurnaces, 
running elevators, oiling ma- 
chinery, etc. 



Boys under 14 or girls of any age: 
In or about any mine, except 
for clerical work. Under 14: In 
pubUe exhibitions; in any im- 
moral place; in any business in- 
jurious to health or dangerous to 
life or limb. 



Under 16: Not more than 
48 hours a week, nor more 
than 8 hours a day, or be- 
tween 6 p. m. and 7 a. m. 



Lge and school- 
ing, 14-16. 



ATTENDANCE LAWS. 
of labor, certificates, penalties, etc. — Continued. 



77 



By whom 
certificate is 
issued or ap- 
proved. 



Proof of age 
required for 
cert ideate. 



Minimum 

educational 

qualifications 

required for 

certificate. 



Physical ex- 
amination 
for certificate 



"Vacation 
certificate." 



Law enforced 
by whom. 



Penalty for 
violation. 



C o m m is - 
sioner o f 
labor, fac- 
tory in- 
spector, 
judge of 
the county 
or munici- 
pal court, 
judge of 
juvenile 
court. 



Birth cer- 
tificate, 
school rec- 
ord, pass- 
port, or 
such other 
proof as 
may be 
satis- 
factory. 



Read and 
write simple 
sentences in 
the English 
language, is 
familiar 
with the 
fundamen- 
tal opera- 
tions in 
arithme- 
tic, instruct- 
ed in spell- 
in g, read- 
i n g , writ- 
iug, English 
grammar, 
and geogra- 
phy, or else 
has passed 
the fifth 
grade and 
has attend- 
ed school 
within 12 
months pre- 
ceding date 
of certificate. 



Child be- 
tween 1 2 
and 14 
may be 
given a 
permit 
for certain 
employ- 
ments. 



C omm is- 
sioner of 
labor, or 
any fac- 
tory in- 
spector. 



Parent, S5 to 
$25; em- 
ployer, $25 to 
$100, or im- 
prison- 
ment for not 
more than 30 
days. 



Employer (in 
mine), $25 to 
$100; impris- 
onment for 
not more 
than 6 
months may 
be added. 
Employer 
(in immoral 
or dangerous 
occupation), 
not more 
than $100 or 
imprison- 
ment 3 
months, o r 
both; subse- 
quent of- 
fenses, not 
more than 
$200, or im- 
prisonment 
not more 
than 6 

months. 



II. COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 

By Anna Tolman Smith, 
Specialist in Foreign Educational Systems, Bureau of Education. 



INFLUENCES LEADING TO COMPULSORY SCHOOL-ATTENDANCE LAWS. 

The original purpose of compulsory school laws was to save nations 
from the dangers of illiteracy, and further, in Protestant nations, to 
enable everyone to read the Bible in his native tongue. Child-labor 
laws were at first distinct from compulsory school laws, but the 
tendency is everywhere noticeable to bring the two classes of legisla- 
tion into close relation. The child-labor laws generally precede the 
compulsory school legislation. The reasons are obvious. The 
former appeal strongly to the humane instincts of a people, and the 
sentiment thus aroused overcomes opposition; the latter appear 
more as matters of expediency, and there are often difficulties in the 
way of their enforcement, especially in agricultural regions and in 
pioneer communities. In general, compulsory school laws mark a 
somewhat more advanced stage of social organization — the stage at 
which public opinion is easily formed and concentrated upon rational 
plans looking to the common welfare. In a sense, it may be said 
that modern society is based upon organized industry, and hence 
everything that tends to increase the intelligence and efficiency of 
the great body of the citizens is seen to be essential to its progress. 
As States pass from the agricultural stage to that of manufactures, 
requiring large capital and the concentration of labor, child-labor 
laws are passed, and these are soon followed by compulsory school 
laws. This process is now going on in the States of southern Europe 
and in the Russian Empire. 

ATTENDANCE LAWS IN ENGLAND. 

In England the compulsory principle has been wrought into the 
education law step by step, and the successive measures which have 
established it throughout the Kingdom give striking proof of its 
necessity. 

The education act of 1876, which went into effect January 1, 1877, 

seven years after the passage of the fundamental school law, was the 

first to declare it the duty of parents to cause their children to obtain 

"efficient elementary instruction," with penalty for neglect of the 

78 



COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE IN FOEEIGN COUNTEIES. 79 

duty. The same act rendered employers liable to penalty for 
employing children under 10 years of age, or children above 10 years 
and not provided with the required certificate of proficiency in 
reading, writing, and arithmetic, or of previous due attendance at 
school. (Education Act, 1876, Part I, clauses 4-10.) 

The moderate requu-ements of the act of 1876 have been extended 
by subsequent legislation, of which the act of 1881 was specially 
important. This measure required all school districts to make 
by-laws defining the age limits and other conditions for partial and 
total exemption from school attendance, and further empowered the 
Education Department to make such by-laws for all districts neglect- 
ing this duty. Subsequent legislation on the subject aimed (1) to 
fix a minimum standard for exemption from school attendance, below 
which local by-laws shall not fall; (2) to raise the minimum standard. 
The act of 1900, the latest dealing with the subject, empowers school- 
attendance officers to extend their by-laws so as to include children 
up to the age of 14 years, raises the penalties on parents for violations 
of the law from 5 to 20 shillings, and increases the number of attend- 
ances required for exemption at 13 years of age from 250 to 350 for 
each of five years previous, and for partial exemption for children 
between 12 and 14 years of age to 300 attendances. Special pro- 
visions are made for the exemption of children between the ages of 
11 and 13 years engaged in agriculture, and also for the attendance 
of half-timers who come under the factory acts applicable to children 
between the ages of 12 and 13. 

The Government itseK, it will be seen, has attempted only to fix 
minimum standards for exemption, which local authorities must 
meet. The conditions of school attendance as determined by local 
by-laws throughout the Kingdom, according to the latest report on 
the subject (1910), were as follows: Of 327 local authorities, all but 7 
have fixed the ages of 5 to 14 as the limits of compulsory attendance. 
The limits in the seven exceptional cases are 5 to 13. 

Of the total number of authorities, 87 provide for the exemption 
of children employed in agriculture, as empowered by the laws. 
The greater number (47) require examination in the fourth standard or 
grade for this privilege; 37 requhe the fifth standard, and 3 the sixth. 

The advance in this matter and the close approach to a uniform 
standard have been brought about by the persistent efforts of liberal- 
minded statesmen and educational leaders, and, what is more signifi- 
cant, it has been accompanied by a growing disposition on the part 
of the labor unions to support the effort. The last step in this pro- 
gressive movement is represented by the bill introduced into Parlia- 
ment in 1912, providing for the entire Kingdom one uniform condition 
for exemption from school attendance under 14 years of age, namely, 
that the child "has attained the age of 13 years," and "is about to 



80 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

enter some employment wliich will, in the opinion of the authority, 
be beneficial to him." This measure had strong support but failed 
of passage. 

Within the limits of the statutory law compulsory school attendance 
in England is regulated by the by-laws made by local authorities, and 
the enforcement of these, as of by-laws in general, is the duty of the 
local civil authority. In respect to school attendance, the education 
act of 1876 is explicit on this point (sees. 28-39). 

Naturally, teachers and ofiicers of education employ every means 
in their power to induce and to help parents to obey the law in regard 
to school attendance. Failing in this effort the case is turned over 
to the magistrates, who inflict the penalties for truancy, collect the 
fines, and make commitment orders against parents and others respon- 
sible for violations of the law. The federation of education commit- 
tees in their annual meeting in 1912 urged that this duty should be 
transferred to the education authorities, on the ground that the magis- 
trates are too lenient or too indifferent in the matter. Statistics were 
presented showing that some 720,000 children m England and Wales 
are daily absent from schools. It was also stated in this connection 
that there are from 50,000 to 60,000 children mentally deficient on 
the school rolls, and of these only 12,000 are provided for in schools 
or classes suitable for them. Agriculture was declared to be the only 
subject from which the children hopelessly deficient derived any last- 
ing benefits. 

SCOTLAND. 

The education act for Scotland, 1872, made it obligatory upon every 
parent to secure the instruction of his children between the ages of 
5 and 13, or until a certificate of exemption should be secured. The 
compulsory provision extends to blind children. A subsequent act 
(1878) fixed the standard (grade) of exemption at the fifth, which 
pupils should complete at 11 years of age. In 1883 the upper limit 
of compulsory attendance was raised to 14 years. The enforcement 
of this act rests upon the magistrates, as in England, and all parents 
failing in the obligation are subject to prosecution and penalty by 
fine or imprisonment. The education act of 1908 authorized school 
boards to make attendance at continuation schools compulsory. 

IRELAND. 

The education act for Ireland, 1892, included compulsory attend- 
ance provisions, in accordance with which children over 6 years of 
age and under 14, with certain exceptions, are required to attend 
school for at least 75 sessions in each half year, ending, respectively, 
the 30th of June and the 31st of December. In its original form the 
law is extremely vague with reference to the means for its enforce- 
ment. This defect was partially remedied by the local government 
act of 1897, which established county and rural district councUs that 



COMPULSORY ATTENDAITCE IlsT FOREIGN" COUNTRIES. 81 

were empowered to take measures for enforcing the school-attendance 
act. According to the official report for 1912, two-thirds of the pupils 
enrolled in the schools are in districts in which school-attendance 
committees have been appointed. In these the percentage of daUy 
average attendance is 74.2 per cent of the enrollment, as compared 
with 69.5 per cent for the districts not having school-attendance 
committees. 

FRANCE. 

The education law of March 28, 1882, making primary education 
obligatory for all children between the ages of 6 and 13, required the 
appointment of a local school committee (commission municipale 
scolaire) in each commune to look after the matter of school attend- 
ance. The mayor of the commune, who is the head of the committee, 
is required to draw up, every year, a list of the children of school age 
in his commune and publicly to announce the date on which the 
schools open. 

Parents and guardians must notify the mayor of the arrangements 
they incend to make for the instruction of their children, whether by 
public or private agencies, and in cases of neglect of this duty the 
names of the children not reported are inscribed by the mayor on a 
school list, and the persons responsible are notified of the fact. The 
mayor also sends to the director of each school a list of the children 
who should attend the same, and thus a complete record of the school 
population and the school attendance in each commune is secured. 
At the end of every month the school director must send to the 
mayor's office an abstract of the school register, showing the number 
of absences and the reasons for the same. For neglect of this duty 
school directors are subject to penalties inflicted by the civil authori- 
ties. The school committees may summon delinquent parents before 
them for warning and censure, but in case of renewed violation of the 
law the responsible parties are brought before the courts and sen- 
tenced to fine or imprisonment. 

This system is intended to establish a sort of paternal watch over 
the children, a purpose which is promoted by the fund (caisse des 
ecoles) that every commune is expected to maintain for the aid of 
poor children. 

In practical operation the machinery for enforcing compulsory 
school attendance in France has proved valuable as a means of keep- 
ing a complete record of the school population, but it ha3 failed to 
overcome the evils of nonattendance. This fact is fully recognized, 
and the Chamber of Deputies, in deliberation over a pending biU 
relative to this subject, has voted to abolish the communal-school 
committees and to transfer their duties in respect to school attend- 
ance to the justice of the peace. The bill has not yet become law. 
14426°— 14 6 



82 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

SWITZERLAND. 

In accordance witli the constitution of the Federal Republic, 
adopted May 29, 1874, every one of the 25 Cantons of Switzerland 
is required to provide sufficient elementary education free to all 
children without prejudice to freedom of "faith and conscience." 
With this restriction, every Canton has entire management of its 
schools. The obligation imposed by the Federal constitution is 
enforced in all the Cantons by a compulsory school law and in 17 
Cantons the compulsion extends to continuation schools.^ The 
duration of the period of compulsory attendance at regular primary 
schools varies, ranging from six to nine years. The annual term also 
varies, falling as low as 38 weeks in some Cantons and rising to 44 in 
others. The length of the school day varies also, and is different 
for different ages. Thus, although the compulsory principle is rig- 
idly enforced, there is an evident disposition to adapt its provisions 
to age and other conditions affecting the school attendance of indi- 
viduals. The following particulars as to the compulsory require- 
ments in two Cantons illustrate prevailing conditions in Switzerland : 

Zurich. — Every chUd in the Canton who attains the age of 6 years 
before the end of April in a given year must enter school at the be- 
ginning of the corresponding school year. The pupils must continue 
at school for 8 years ; that is to say, until the end of the school year 
in which he completes his fourteenth year of age. The individual 
communes are authorized to reduce the number of school hours a 
week in the seventh and eighth classes (that is, the two highest 
classes) to eight during the summer semester. These hours should 
be comprised hi two forenoons. In such cases the winter semester 
should comprise at least 23 weeks. The primary school is divided 
into eight classes, corresponding to the ages of the pupils, each class 
representing a year. The usual duration of the school year is 43 
weeks, beginning with the 1st of May; vacations cover altogether 9 
weeks. The number of weekly lessons is from 15 to 20 for children 
in the first class; 18 to 22 for the second; 20 to 23 for the third; 
24 to 30 for the fourth and sixth; and 27 to 33 for the seventh and 
eighth. No lesson can be given Saturday afternoon, excepting 
lessons in needlework. The school week, then, is 5| days. This 
would give for the year 236^ school days as the maximum, which for 
the 8 years of the course amounts to 2,092 days. In communes in 
which the summer attendance for the seventh and eighth classes is 
reduced to 8 hours, or two half days, the entire school period would 
be reduced to 1,712 days, 

Vri. — In the Canton of Uri a child enters school the year in which 
his seventh year of age is completed, and he is obliged to attend 

I See table, p. 83. 



COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



83 



school until his thii-teenth year of age is completed; that is, until he 
has six years of compulsory attendance at the primary school. Fol- 
lowing this, he must attend a continuation course for two years. The 
six years of the primary school comprise a minimum of 30 weeks a 
year. The length of the school week varies, but on an average is 5 
days. This gives 900 days for the 6-year course. To this must be 
added 120 days for the two years in the continuation school, making 
a total of 1,020 days. 

Local authorities, i. e., school boards, prefects of the district, and 
municipal authorities, are charged with the enforcement of the com- 
pulsory laws; if need be, the superior officers of State intervene. As 
a rule, however, no endeavor is made by parents to evade the obli- 
gation to secure the instruction of their children. 

Organization of general continuation schools and of preparatory course for recruits in 

Sivitzerland} 



Cantons. 



Zurich 

Bern 

Luzem 

Uri 

Seh%vyz .- 

Obwalden 

Nidwalden 

Glarus 

Zug 

Fribourg 

Solothum 

Basel City 

Basel Province. - . 

Schaflhausen 

Appenzell A. Rh. 
Appenzelll. Rh.. 

St. Gallon 

Graubunden 

Aargau 

Thurgau 

Tessin 

Waadt 

"Wallis 

Neuenberg 

Geneva 



Continuation schools. 



Obligatory 

or 
voluntary.2 



Voluntary 
Obligatory 



Obligatory 
Voluntary 



Voluntary 
Obligatory 

do 

do 

Voluntary 
Obligatory 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do..... 

do 

A'oluntary 



Num- 
ber of 

years or 
winter 

courses. 



2 

2-3 

3 

2-3 

2-3 

3 

3 

3-4 

3-4 

4 

2 



Minimum 
number 
of hours 

per 
course. 



40 



Age of 
pupil. 



Above 15 
15-18 



16-19 
Above L4 



About 80 

About 60 

70 

SO 



About 70 

About 50 

60 



90 
80 
50-60 
60 
60 
120 
64 



17-19 
16-19 
15-18 



17-18 
17-18 
16-18 
15-16 
16-19 
16-18 
16-19 
15-18 
15-18 
15-19 
15-19 
17-18 



Recruits, preparatory course. 



Obligatory 

or 
voluntary. 



Voluntary 
Obligatory 

do 

do 

do 

do 



Obligatory 

do 

do 

Voluntary 
do 



Obligatory 



Obligatory 

do 

do 

do 

do 



Number of courses and 
hours. 



2 courses of 4 hours. 

1 course of 20 hours. 

2 courses of 40 hours. 
1 course of 40 hours. 
1 course of 90 hours. 

3 days. 
About 20 hours. 

1 course of 36 hours. 

12 hours. 



80 hours. 



12 days of 4 hours. 
24 hours. 
50 hours. 
24 hours. 
36 hours. 



1 Guex, Frangois, annuaire de I'instruction publique en Suisse, 1910, p. 227. 

2 The obligation is imposed upon boys only, excepting in the canton of St. Gallen. 

ACTION OF LOCAL COMMITTEES IN OTHER COUNTRIES. 



In the Scandinavian countries the matter of school attendance is 
under the close surveillance of the local school boards and the dio- 
cesan boards. These bodies summon the delinquent parents before 
them for mvestigation and warning; cases of contumacy are reported 
to the central authorities, but it is seldom necessary to resort to 
these extreme measures. It should be noted that in all Lutheran 



84 COMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

countries the pastors are members of the local school committees 
and the ecclesiastical authorities are included ia the central admin- 
istration of school affairs; clerical influences in fact have even 
greater effect than the law in preventing neglect of school attendance. 

Italy. — The education law of 1877 provided for the formation of 
local school attendance committees, similar to those of France; 
but in the past this law was seldom carried into effect. The success 
of more recent legislation on the subject will depend necessarily 
upon the supply of school buildings, for which special appropriations 
have been made. 

The Netherlands. — ^The agents for enforcing the compulsory law 
in the Netherlands, as in France, are local committees; but in the 
latter country these committees are made up from the communal 
and cantonal authorities; in the Netherlands the local clergy, the 
parents, and the teaching corps are all represented in the committees, 
the members of which are appointed by the communal councils. 
Infringements of the law are brought to the attention of the school 
inspectors, and parents or guardians who persist in its willful neglect 
are summoned before the district judge, who takes final action in 
the matter. 

Japan is the only country of Asia having a compulsory school 
attendance law. Children are admitted to school at 6 years of age 
and may continue till 14. The obligatory period covers the ages 
6 to 12 by ordinance of 1908. The Government appears to have 
been influenced by the example of France in respect to the means 
for enforcing the law. 

The mayors make out the register of the school children in their 
respective districts, which is furnished to the school directors. If 
a child fails to report when the school opens, notice is sent to the 
parent or guardian, and if the absence continues, at the end of seven 
days the case is reported to the mayor, who summons the responsible 
party for further inquiry. If the neglect stiU continues, the matter 
is referred to the prefect of the district, who can pronounce sentence 
upon the guilty person. As a rule it is not necessary to resort to 
this extreme measure. 

In the countries here grouped care is taken to exercise paternal 
watchfulness over the children, and to excite the witling cooperation 
of parents in the public effort for the child's welfare. In other 
words, the paternal spirit prevails over the penal in the course pursued. 

RESULTS OF COMPULSION. 

Illiteracy is generally taken as a measure of the efficiency of a 
school system, but in this respect it must be considered with con- 
ditions which affect materially the enforcement of school laws, 



COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE IN FOEEIGN COUNTEIES. 



85 



including that of compulsory attendance. Chief among these con- 
ditions are the extent, racial character, and density of the popula- 
tion. Comparison of great nations with small nations in respect 
to education carries little weight; for example, Denmark, with its 
compact population of two and one-half millions, would be able to 
maintain school attendance even without a compulsory law; there 
is evidently no basis of comparison between such a country and an 
empire like Russia, with a population in the European division of 
135,860,000, and a density of only 68 per square mile. Under all 
conditions, however, a compulsory school law properly enforced 
has proved to be an effective means for eliminating illiteracy. The 
following statistics, which bring into comparison selected countries 
of Europe in respect to school attendance and illiteracy according 
to the latest official information, are conviacing on this point. For 
more effective presentation, the countries are arranged in two 
groups in the table pertaining to illiteracy; the first group com- 
prises the States of Europe in which the percentage of illiteracy on 
the basis considered falls below 10 per cent, and the second group 
States in which it is in excess of this ratio. 

Fopulation and enrollment in elementary schools in certain European countries. 



Countries. 



Population. 



Ratio of enroll- 
ment in ele- 
mentary schools 
to population. 



Year. Per cent. 



Austria-Hungary : 

Austria 

Hungary (including Croatia and Slavonia) 

Belgium 

Denmark 

France 

German Empire 

Great Britain , 

Italy 

Netherlands 

Spain 

Sweden , 

Switzerland , 

Russia 



2S, 567, 896 

20, 840, 678 

7,423,784 

2, 775, 076 

39,601,509 

64,903,423 

40, 834, 714 

34,269,764 

5, 945, 155 

19, 588, 685 

5,521,943 

3,741,971 

163,778,000 



1909 
1910 
1910 
1910 
1910 
1910 
1911 
1908 
1911 
1910 
1910 
1910 
1910 



15.60 
14.00 
12.50 
13.57 
14.24 
16.00 
16.87 

8.75 
15.42 
10.40 
14.31 
14.38 

2.56 



Illiteracy in certain countries, grouped according to percentages. 
GROUP I.— COUNTRIES HAVING FEW ILLITERATES. 



Countries. 


Year. 


Per cent 
ofilUt- 
erates. 


Basis of estimate. 




1907 
1910 
1904 
1905 
1908 
1907 
1905 


0.2 

2.97 

1.5 

.03 
1.4 

.3 

.5 


Army recruits. 


France . 


Do. 


Great Britain 


Marriage register. 




Armj' recruits. 


Netherlands 


Do. 


Sweden 


Do. 


Switzerland 


Do. 







86 



COMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 



Illiteracy in certain countries, grouped according to percentage — Continued, 

GROUP II.— COUNTRIES HAVING LARGE PROPORTION OF ILLITERATES. 



Countries. 



Austria'. 



Hungary 2. 
Belgium 3.. 

Italy 1 

Spaini 

Russia 3 . . . 





Per cent 


Year. 


ofilUt- 




erates. 


1900 


26.2 


1900 


40.0 


1900 


18.6 


1901 


48.0 


1900 


58.7 


1897 


70.0 



Basis of estimate. 



Population above 
10 years of age. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 



1 Compulsory law not well enforced. 

2 Including Croatia and Slavonia, in which compulsory law is not enforced. 

3 No compulsory school attendance law. 

The benefits of a compulsory law are also illustrated by the de- 
crease of illiteracy even in countries where the full enforcement of 
the law is not yet possible. This is strikingly shown in the case of 
Italy. In this Kingdom a compulsory attendance clause was in- 
cluded in the education law of 1877, but it remained for many years 
a dead letter. In 1904 a law was passed greatly strengthening the 
compulsory provisions. As a result of the earnest efforts made to 
carry this law into effect, the ratio of illiteracy, which in 1901 was 
42.5 per cent for males above 6 years of age, was greatly reduced. 
In 1905 only 30.6 per cent of the recruits were illiterate, and those 
from several districts (circondari) were all able to read and write. 

Roumania has a compulsory school law dating from 1896, and to 
its enforcement is attributed the marked decrease in the ratio of 
illiterates, which fell from 78 per cent, as shown by the census of 
1899, to 60.6 per cent in 1909. For the rural population only, the 
decrease was from 84.8 per cent to 66.3 per cent. 

In respect to countries in which there is practically no illiteracy 
it must be admitted that there are other causes conducing to this 
result. Chief among these is the military system, which obliges all 
men to serve for a period m. the army, and on entering the service 
to pass an examination in the elementary studies. Those who fail 
in this test must attend special classes or schools for recruits. 

The passage in 1900 of a compulsory school law for the Netherlands 
is a very significant fact in the progress of the principle. On account 
of the various agencies carrying on primary education, their equal 
recognition before the law, and the reluctance to rouse denominational 
antipathies, the compulsory provisions included in previous education 
bills had been dropped. School attendance, however, has been pro- 
moted in the Netherlands by prizes and rewards offered by local 
school committees, and by the examination in elementary subjects 
required for admission to the numerous subsidized trade and indus- 
trial schools. Therefore, without compulsion, school attendance has 



COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 87 

been high in this small Kingdom and the percentage of illiteracy low; 
nevertheless the general concurrence of opinion finally carried a com- 
pulsory provision in the school law. Undoubtedly the census of 1889 
conduced to this result. The enumeration showed 1.4 per cent of 
illiterates in the number of army recruits in the Netherlands, which 
was contrasted with the conditions in Denmark and Germany, from 
which countries illiteracy has been practically eliminated. It is 
noticeable that statistics for the Netherlands, based upon the census 
of 1909, show a reduction in the ratio of illiterate recruits from 1.4 
to 1 per cent. 

Among other evidences of the importance of compulsory school 
attendance laws is the movement for extending the compulsion to 
continuation schools. The subject is agitated at the present time in 
all the principal countries, although comparatively few have yet 
taken positive action in this matter. In Switzerland attendance upon 
continuation schools is compulsory in 17 out of 25 cantons. 

Five States of the German Empire have extended the compulsory 
provisions, either wholly or partially, to continuation schools. Wurt- 
temberg makes attendance at continuation schools compulsory for 
boys aged 14 to 18, and for girls aged 14 to 15 (law of Aug. 17, 
1909); in Baden attendance upon continuation schools is compulsory 
for boys for two years, for girls one year; in Saxony such attendance 
is compulsory for boys ; Bavaria, by school regulations of June 4, 1903, 
requires attendance at a Sunday school to the completion of the 
sixteenth year, or attendance at vocational school may be substituted. 

The Scotch education act of 1908 authorized the school boards to 
make attendance upon continuation schools compulsory. 

Ontario, by law of 1912, authorized local authorities to make at- 
tendance at continuation schools compulsory. 

Compulsory school laws carry with them the sense of additional 
responsibility on the part of the public for the welfare of children; 
hence, in their train follow provisions for supplying the pressing 
wants of the poorest children and of ministering to their physical 
ailments; there follows also discrimination as to the moral responsi- 
bility of juvenile offenders; hence, juvenile courts and reform schools 
conducted on humane and rational principles grow naturally out of 
the endeavor to provide for the instruction of every child. 

TABULAR VIEW OF ATTENDANCE LAWS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 

The following table (p. 91) comprises the foreign countries in 
which a compulsory school attendance law is well established, and 
the principle of compulsion supported by custom and opinion. The 
presentation gives in epitome the general conditions covered by all 
laws on the subject, and also the particulars in which they vary most. 



88 COMPULSOKY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

In foreign countries the compulsory period begins, as a rule, at an 
earlier age than in the United States, The tendency to postpone 
school attendance in the United States is due to different causes; in 
several States this course is necessary on account of the sparse popula- 
tion and the poor roads; in more densely populated regions there is a 
willingness to prolong the period of the free activity of chUdhood; in 
European countries, on the contrary, there is a disposition to hasten 
the entrance of children into industrial life. 

In all the countries included in the table, allowance is made for 
absence on account of sickness, the want of an accessible school, and 
other circumstances which are beyond the control of parents. There 
are, however, additional causes for exemption from school attendance, 
arising from conditions special to the respective countries, which are 
named in the laws. Such causes are indicated in a measure in the 
table (col. 5). 

In order to complete the survey with respect to compulsory 
attendance upon the ordinary primary schools, reference should be 
made to countries in which legislation on the subject is of very recent 
date or, if of long standing, has recently been the subject of new and 
more stringent provisions. 

Russia. — The subject of universal popular education in the Russian 
Empire engaged the attention of the first and of the second Duma, 
but without definite results. The third Duma proceeded upon the 
principle that the necessary conditions must be supplied by a better 
organization and more liberal support of the existing schools, and by 
systematic provision for increasing the number of schools up to the 
full requirement of the vast population of the Empire. In accordance 
with this purpose a measure was adopted by the third Duma pro- 
viding for an annual appropriation for the successive years 1909 to 
1912, inclusive, to form a fund for supplementing local appropria- 
tions for school buildings. The appropriation demanded for the 
four years would amount to 25,000,000 rubles ($12,875,000). The 
leaders of the legislative body favor the adoption of a compulsory law 
as soon as the supply of school accommodation makes its enforce- 
ment possible. The recommendations of the Duma on the subject, 
however, were not approved by the imperial council. 

In Finland and in the Baltic Provinces of Russia, in accordance 
with the prevailing custom in Lutheran countries, the parish clergy 
are required to see that the children of their charge are instructed in 
the elements of reading and writing, and in the catechism, as a pre- 
requisite to confirmation. By the Finnish school law of 1866 the 
civil authorities were made responsible for secular education, and 
towns were required to establish schools for the elementary education 
of all children within their limits; the law provided for the election 
of local school committees who are charged with its enforcement. 



COMPULSORY ATTENDAISTCE IN FOEEIGN COUNTRIES. 89 

The town schools are of two classes: Lower prunary, or infant 
schools, and primary schools proper. The elementary secular 
instruction, which was formerly under the direction of the clergy, is 
now given in the infant schools, together with religious instruction, 
but children who receive this elementary instruction at home are not 
obliged to attend the infant school. The course of the regular pri- 
mary school covers four years and is compulsory for all children, 
ages 9 to 12 (or 10 to 13, inclusive), who are not otherwise instructed. 
If continuation or repetition classes exist, attendance may be required 
in those for a year after the primary school period. By an ordinance 
of 1898 the obligation to establish schools was extended to the rural 
communes. 

In the three Baltic Provinces of Russia — Esthonia, Livonia, and 
Courland — elementary education is compulsory in accordance with 
the ecclesiastical requirements. 

Southern Europe. — The recent political movements in southern 
Europe have been marked by new educational demands, and the 
compulsory principle is securing recognition in all the countries 
that may properly be mcluded in a discussion of this section of the 
continent. 

In the kingdoms occupying the three southern peninsulas of Europe, 
prunary education is compulsory under existing laws, and notwith- 
standing the many obstacles to the enforcement of this principle, 
it has been carried into practical effect in many of the chief cities. 
Current discussions of education in these countries emphasize the 
importance of more stringent measures for insuring the elementary 
education of all the people. In Italy a compulsory provision applica- 
ble to children 6 to 9 years of age was comprised in the education 
law of 1877; by a law of 1904 the upper limit was extended to 12 
years of age in communities maintaining a higher primary school. 

The kingdoms that were formerly parts of Turkey in Europe, 
namely, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Roumania, and Servia, have all 
declared primary education compulsory, either by constitutional 
provision or by law. The enforcement of the provision has been 
hindered by internal disturbances and by the want of sufficient 
school accommodation; the war with Turkey has prevented present 
progress in education and in internal improvements in the nations 
involved in the conflict. 

Em'pire of Turlcey. — The law of 1869 regulatmg public instruction 
in the Turkish Empire declared education obligatory for boys from 
6 to 11 years of age, inclusive; for girls from 6 to 10. The exemp- 
tions were numerous and the law has seldom been enforced. 

Since the Young Turk party came into power, education has been 
a subject of earnest consideration by the Government, and an educa- 
tion bill which reaffii'ms the principle of compulsion was presented 



90 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

to the legislature in 1910 by the minister of public instruction. The 
measure was still pending when the war broke out. 

In the Latin States of North and South America compulsory pro- 
visions are a feature of the school laws, but little progress has been 
made in their enforcement. At the present time the matter is one of 
serious consideration in several of these countries, particularly in 
Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay, which are attempting the 
reorganization of their educational systems. As industrial and civil 
conditions improve, the apathy of the people diminishes, a change 
which is shown by the recent rapid growth of a diffused public-school 
sentiment in Argentina and Uruguay. 

The significant omissions from the list of countries having com- 
pulsory school attendance laws are Belgium, Quebec, and Manitoba. 



COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE IN" FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



91 



^ 







I> 


fl 








n 


i 


a 


i 


B< 



ft ft 




o o fl P 

"" .£. 03 .2 
P 



."3 » ® 03r ■ 



^S3 



i? c| 03 g .9 3 

!2 S 03-M o+^ 
, © » m S<w d 
! f>, '- (^. S ■ „ S 
1 u 03 S 5fi ft 






rt as 



fl PI S 



(M CO 

3 3 



CO 3^ o 

C" el 9 
co'J^S'Sv,. 



n3 1- CO 



■*■* _C-*00-*-^COIMCO 




' (C to >, 



>0 CO "5 
'V 1* T 

ti t- r- 



60 >-? 






.a 
& ■ 

a.s 
«^ 
§ s 
am 

IB 

o 



^e 






^ O) 



to 03 


.y 


<D 








S 




l« 


^■d 


■h 






P 


O oS 


« 


ft 


•s 


a 


03 


i2 



^1 



•a I 



E-i ft 

- a 



92 



COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 



■§2 



-S >> 



a >< o 



^ '2 






-J2 ca t» a S u 


■d 


S . 


B 


S " 


ine,40c 
ment 30 
ach offe 
impriso 
'arnings 
to $3. 
enalties 


.g 


^^ 


§ 


1^ 


-2 


"3 


.g 


fin H ?^ Ph 


P 


Ph 


ph 


Ph 



.g.l 







.s& 


.a 


fi( 


^ 



■^ 
s 



"^.2 89 
?5 ?i S 



OJ CO Oi -. o 

Ph o 



eg 



-CI 05^ C3 S I^i 



ci J> 



f^3 



gs 

ft 

a 






fl s 



(N (M »0 Ol 

t^ 00 CO lO 
00 00 GO 00 



o 



H > SI 



t> 




•.3 


5 


w 


S 


o 


.S2 


< 


..02 


? 


^ 


a> 


3 


ca « 


S 


js;? 


Q' 


m 



fi :? 



COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE IN FOEEIGN COUNTRIES. 



93 






^1 
.gs 



.g 



M . s 

-el m 
o o 's 

C3-S P< 

w 9i3 

H c3 o 
?-* QJ (D 






(SCO . 

d 0^ fe 

§ > M 

MS 1=1 
C3 g O 

s2S.g 

fl-^ o 
S.SV 



D< 






o o tH n 
o;S o fi fl 
bd ^ M 



cj l-( 



C3 r3 
•O d 

o s 

3£ 






(M(N ■* M(N 

I I I I I 

t^ t^ 00 00 t^ 




El > 



§■3 









JPhcc 



III. COMPULSORY EDUCATION IN GERMANY. 

By W. Carson Ryan, Jr., 

Editorial Division, Bureau of Education. 



The successful enforcement of compulsory education has long been 
an enviable feature of the German school system. Although the 
ages and periods of attendance vary, there are practically no children 
in the German Empire who evade the laws. The occasional excep- 
tions are in the case of families of strolling actors, acrobats, etc., and 
the shifting population engaged in river navigation. Some of the 
figures will show the almost perfect conditions: Out of 5,754,728 
children of school age in Prussia in 1901, only 548 evaded attend- 
ance. In 1895 the evasions were 487 out of 5,317,037 children. 
Both of these figures represent a betterment since 1871, when there 
were 20,783 evasions out of a school population of 4,464,906. Al- 
though Purssian conditions are better standardized than those in 
other parts of the empire, and it is important jiot to consider Prussia 
as Germany, the following table of Prussian school enrollment, as 
compared with population, wUl serve to indicate the consistency with 
which the record of schooling is maintained. 

Table showing ratio of public elementary-school children to total population in Prussia 

since 1822. 



1822. 

1825. 
1828. 
1831, 
1834, 
1837, 
1840 
1843 
1846 
1849 
1852 
1855 
1858 
1861 
1864 
1867 
1871 
1878 
1882 
1886 
1891 
1896 
1901 
1911 



Children in 
school. 



427,045 
577,999 
791, 703 
917,934 
102, 271 
169,247 
224, 239 
328, 146 
433,333 
453,062 
583,565 
615, 382 
719, 072 
778, 208 
825, 322 
035, 275 
900, 655 
200, 160 
339, 729 
838, 247 
916, 476 
236, 826 
670, 870 
572, 140 



Population. 



11,664,133 
12,256,725 
12,726,110 
13,038,960 
13,507,999 
14,098,125 
14,928,501 
15,471,084 
16,112,938 
16,331,187 
16,935,420 
17,202,831 
17,739,913 
18,491,220 
19, 255, 139 
19,672,237 
24, 639, 706 
26, 664, 427 
27, 694, 854 
28, 645, 832 
29,955,281 
31,855,123 
34, 472, 509 
40,165,219 



Per cent. 



12.2 
12.9 
14.8 
14.7 
15.6 
15.4 
14.9 
15.0 
15.1 
15.2 
15.2 
15.2 
15.3 
15.0 
14.7 
15.4 
15.8 
15.8 
15.7 
16.9 
16.4 
16.4 
16.5 
16.4 



94 



IN GERMANY. 95 

Figures of a niimber of German municipalities for 1910 reveal how 
consistently the ideal in attendance is carried out to the very end 
of the system. In certain cities having an eight-year course the 
percentage of children finishing the eighth grade was as follows 
Wiesbaden, 99.46; Frankfort on the Main, 99.2; Flensburg, 99.77 
Leipzig, 99.58; Dresden, 99.67; Zwickau, 99.93; Plauen, 98.91 
Chemnitz, 99,62; Mainz, 99.4; Bremen, 98.62. These cities are 
above the normal, to be sure, yet that so many communities can 
show such a record is sufficiently noteworthy. 

The agencies in this admirable enforcement of compulsory educa- 
tion may be summed up as follows: (1) Strict compulsory laws long 
on the statute books; (2) an imperial child-labor law which is en- 
forced; (3) a thorough system of official inspection by school, church, 
and civil authorities; (4) careful registration methods, which make 
sure that the child is not lost sight of in a change ot residence. 

(1) Legislation. — Compulsory education laws have been on the 
statute books in German countries for considerably more than a 
century. They go back at least to Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia 
(Sept. 28, 1717): 

Hereafter in those places where schools exist the parents are required on pain of 

heavy punishment to send their children to school every day in winter; and 

in summer, when the children are needed for farm work, at least once or twice a week, 
in order that they may not entirely forget what they have learned during the winter. 

The principle is more definitely enunciated in Frederick the Great's 
general law of 1763: 

First of all, we decree that all our subjects, whether parents, guardians, or em- 
ployers, upon whom the education of youth devolves, shall send to school their own 
children, boys and girls, as well as those intrusted to their care, not later than the 
fifth year, in order that they may continue there into their thirteenth and fourteenth 
year; and they shall keep them at school until they have not only obtained the essen- 
tials of Christianity and know how to read and write readily but can also make satis- 
factory answer witli regard to those matters which are taught them in reading books 
ordained and approved by our consistories. 

The general law of 1794 provides: 

Section 43. Every inhabitant who can not or will not provide the necessary in- 
struction for his children in his own household is required to send them to school 
after the completion of the fifth year. 

Sec. 46. The school instruction must be continued until a child, in the discretion 
of his spiritual guide, has obtained the knowledge necessary for an intelligent person 
of his station in Hfe. 

The Code of 1850 declares: "Parents and their representatives 
shall not leave their children or wards without the instruction which 
is prescribed for the public schools." 

Compulsory education is also covered by legislation of 1872, 1878, 
and 1891. The 1872 law changes "spiritual guide" in the law to 
"school inspector." The 1891 law says: "The compulsory educa- 



96 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

tion period of a child ends with the close of the child's completed 
fourteenth year." 

The enforcement of the law is left to the police authorities. In 
case of infraction the school inspector invokes the aid of the police, 
and legal proceedings are instituted against the parents, who are at 
first fined, and in case of repeated offense may be imprisoned, usually 
for eight days. 

In Saxony the punishment provided by law for nonattendance is a 
fine, or imprisonment from one day to six weeks ; but the testimony 
is that legal proceedings are seldom undertaken. 

In Bavaria there is no compulsory education law; the subject is 
covered by regulations. 

In Wurttemberg parents who fail to send their children to school 
regularly are first warned, then fined, and, if need be, imprisoned. 

As in most countries, the laws allow certain exemptions. Entrance 
into school at the lower age may be deferred in the case of illness or 
constitutional weakness, especially where the distance from school is 
considerable, and at the other end of the compulsory period likewise 
children may for sound reasons be freed from the action of the law. 
In the year 1901 of all children of school age in Prussia 10,672 were 
unable to attend on account of mental or bodily defects; 16,109 could 
not be received immediately after the completion of the sixth year; 
and 53,794 were released from attendance before the end of their 
fourteenth year. 

Education of the deaf and dumb is not compulsory in most of the 
German States. In Prussia it is compulsory in only one Province, 
Schleswig-Holstein. 

The question of compulsory or optional attendance in continuation 
schools has heretofore been left to the respective municipalities.^ 
The Prussian State Government, however, by conditioning its annual 
appropriations upon the establishment of compulsory attendance, 
has succeeded in iaiducing most of the communities to make the 
attendance compulsory. In 1910 Prussia had 1,818 industrial con- 
tinuation schools (gewerbliche Fortbildungsschulen) , with 321,226 
students; 59 association schools (Vereinsschulen) , with 5,831 stu- 
dents; and 285 guild schools (Innungsschulen) , with 11,952 students. 
Of the industrial continuation *schools, 1,749 (including 61 work 
schools) had compulsory attendance and 69 optional attendance. 
In the 59 association schools, which are maintained by apprentices, 
mechanics, manufacturers, etc., the attendance is optional. 

After agitation for a number of years a draft of a national law has 
recently been submitted to the Prussian Landtag, or Legislature, 

1 This and the following paragraph are taken from a statement by Ralph C. Busser, United States consul 
at Erfurt. See Bulletin, 1913, No. 54, U. S. Bu. of Ed., p. 15. 



IN GERMANY. 97 

which makes three years' attendance at efn. industrial or commercial 
continuation school obligatory on the part of aU boys under 18 years 
of age who are employed iii industrial or commercial work in the 
particular community. The boys usually finish in the common schools 
at the age of 14 or 15, and, according to the new State law, their 
compulsory attendance at the continuation school will continue for 
thjee years or until the end of their apprenticeship, but not beyond 
the eighteenth year. It is also provided in this new law that one 
can be released by the school authorities from the obligation to attend 
the public mdustrial continuation school by attendance during the 
required legal period and for an equal number of hours at a guild or 
other continuation school or trade school, provided that the instruc- 
tion at such school has been recognized by the president of. the 
respective government district (Regierungs-Prasident) as an adequate 
substitute. 

(2) Ohild-labor law. — The imperial child-labor law of 1869 forbade 
without exception the employment of children under 12 years of age, 
and its rigorous enforcement has aided materially in carrying out 
compulsory education laws. 

(3) Inspection. — Church and civil authorities cooperate in the work 
of insuring attendance. The local school authorities have their own 
regulations whereby they take action to compel attendance. In 
Prussia and in most other parts of the German Empire, however, the 
almost perfect attendance is largely due to the pastors, who are 
especially authorized to see that the children go to school. 

(4) Registration methods. — Prussia early took the lead in instituting 
careful registration methods and in the compilation of dependable 
school statistics — the first steps in educational progress; and the 
other German States have in the main followed Prussia's example. 
Thus, although educational administration is not under centralized 
imperial control, there is practical unanimity in enrollment and regis- 
tration methods throughout the German Empu"e. 

The work of the direct agencies thus outlined is made effective by 
the following facts of German civilization which need always to be 
borne ui mind in considering compulsory education in Germany: 
Relative density of population, allowhig stricter surveillance than in 
less thickly settled countries; a people more nearly homogeneous 
than that of the United States ; an innate love of education produced 
by generations of men with cultural ideas, apt to be lacking in a new 
nation where action and personality tend to be treasured above 
bookish attainments; strongly centralized government, wliich makes 
of the school a system in a sense in which om-s seldom is ; close inter- 
relation of church and state in public education, involving vigilance 
on the part of both agencies to see that the child is in school; and, 
14426°— 14 7 



98 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

above all, a strongly deraloped public sentiment on the subject of 
school attendance which makes truancy practically impossible. 

The effects of successful compulsory education show themselves in 
a number of ways not easily susceptible of statistical analysis. Van- 
ishing illiteracy is one indication that can be measured; 1910 figures 
give the German Empire the lowest illiteracy record among the 
nations— 3 in 10,000. 

But it is not merely in the external phenomena of literacy or illit- 
eracy that long-contiQued compulsory education shows its effects — 
the disciplinary value to the national mind of generation after genera- 
tion of educated citizens is iucalculable. 



IV. THE NEED OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION IN THE 

SOUTH. 

By William H. Hand, 
State High-School Inspector, Columbia, S. C. 



Thirty-nine States of the Union have State- wide compulsory school- 
attendance laws of varying degrees of compulsion and enforcement. 
The remaining nine States all belong to the Southern group. Four of the 
Southern States, viz, Maryland, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana, 
have laws making attendance compulsory in parts of these States. 
These laws are generally known as local-option laws. Of the laws of 
these four States, perhaps that of Arkansas actually reaches the 
greatest number of children; in none of the four has compulsory 
attendance been in force long enough to make any marked decrease 
in the State's illiteracy. South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, 
Mississippi, and Texas are yet without any kind of compulsory- 
attendance law. 

Many people are still debating in a purely academic way the need, 
the wisdom, and the feasibility of something which has been tested 
and accepted by the majority of peoples speaking English, German, and 
French. Nevertheless, the mere fact that other sections of the Union 
and other countries have enacted such laws is of itself not conclusive 
evidence that the Southern States should enact them. Any logical 
argument for or against compulsory attendance must be based on 
conditions as they actually exist. 

Confining the study to the native white population of native 
parentage, the following tables show the conditions in the Southern 
States, and the relative illiteracy in the South and other parts of the 
United States and in four foreign countries. The figures for the 
United States are from the Census Report of 1910, These figures 
are not the guesswork of some partisan statistician, but the cold facts 
given to the census taker by the fathers and mothers of the children. 

Exhibit A. — Native white illiterates 10 years of age and over. 



Per ct. 



New England States— 6 (all under compulsory laws) 

Middle Atlantic — 3 (all under compulsory laws) 

East North Central — 5 (all under compulsory laws) 

West North Central— 7 (all under compulsory laws) 

South Atlantic— 9 (3 without compulsory laws; 3 with local option) 

East South Central— 4 (2 without compulsory laws; 1 with local option).. 
West South Central — 4 (1 without compulsoiy laws; 2 with local option). 

Mo'intain— 8 (all under compulsory laws) 

Pacific — 2 (both under compulsory laws) 



0.7 
1.2 
1.7 
1.7 
8.0 
9.6 
5.6 
3.6 
0.4 



99 



100 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

Exhibit B. — Native white illiterate males of voting age. 



Per et. 



New England States 

Middle Atlantic 

East North Central 

West North Central 

South Atlantic 

East South Central 

West South Central 

Mountain 

Pacific 

France, male adults 

England, male and female adults 
Scotland, male and female adults 
German Empire, male adults 



1.0 
1.5 
2.3 
2.3 
9.0 
11.1 
6.0 
2.8 
0.5 
4.7 
3.0 
2.4 
0.5 



Exhibit C. — Showing rank of the 12 States without State-wide compulsory laws in per- 
centage of illiteracy of native whites 10 years of age and over. 



States. 


1910 


1900 


Maryland . 


32d. 
33d. 
37th. 
38th. 
40th. 
41st. 
42d. 
43d. 
44th. 
45th. 
47th. 
48th. 


32d. 




35th. 


Florida 


38th. 


Mississippi . . . 


37th. 




41st. 




42d. 


Virginia ^ . 


40th. 




46th. 


Alabama 


47th. 


South Carolina . . 


44th. 




49th. 




48th. 







1 Virginia and North Carolina passed their State- wide compulsory laws after the census of 1910. 

Ill Exhibit D following are first shown the six States without 
compulsory-attendance laws. Next are shown the six States with 
local-option compulsory laws. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and 
Connecticut are taken as representative of New England, each with a 
compulsory-attendance law enacted years ago and requiring long 
terms of attendance enforced by rather heavy penalties. Wisconsin 
and Minnesota are taken as a type of the newer West, with a compul- 
sory attendance rather rigidly enforced. West Virginia and Ken- 
tucky are taken as specimens of recent compulsory-attendance laws 
at first mild in form and not very rigidly enforced. 

Exhibit D. — Native white illiterates 10 years of age and over. 



States. 



imter- 
ates. 



Per 
cent. 



South Carolina. 

Georgia 

Florida 

Alabama 

Mississippi 

Texas 

Maryland 

Virginia 

North CaroUna 

Tennessee 

Arkansas 

Louisiana , 



50, 112 
79, 875 
14, 331 
84, 204 
28, 344 
60,881 

17, 464 
81, 105 
131, 992 
120, 384 
54, 221 
82, 100 



10.5 
8.0 
5.2 

10.1 
5.3 
3.3 

3.0 
8.2 

12.3 
9.9 
7.1 

15.0 



NEED OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH. 101 

Exhibit D. — Native tuhite illiterates 10 years of age and over — Continued. 



States. 



Massachusetts 
Rhode Island . 
Connecticut. . . 

Wisconsin 

Minnesota 

West Virginia. 
Kentucky 



Illiter- 


Per 


ates. 


cent. 


3,428 


0.4 


944 


.7 


1,707 


.5 


3,223 


.6 


1,536 


.4 


50, 580 


6.7 


145,156 


10.7 



Exhibit E. — Native white male illiterates of voting age. 



States. 



Illiter- 


imter- 


ates in 


ates in 


1900. 


1910. 


15, 643 


17, 535 


31,914 


29, 936 


5,470 


5,026 


30, 680 


30, 389 


11,613 


11,129 


24, 180 


23, 642 


10, 191 


8,097 


35, 057 


33,488 


54,208 


49, 619 


51,247 


47, 479 


22, 546 


20, 343 


24, 681 


28,091 


1,927 


1,700 


550 


466 


1,040 


893 


1,754 


1,514 


737 


732 


23,024 


20, 666 


62, 182 


59,314 



Per cent 
in 1910. 



South Carolina 

Georgia 

Florida 

Alabama 

Mississippi 

Texas 

Maryland 

Virginia 

North Carolina 

Tennessee 

Arkansas 

Louisiana 

Massachusetts . 
Rhode Island. 
Connecticut... 

Wisconsin 

Minnesota 

West Vii'ginia. 
Kentucky 



11.0 
8.9 
5.1 

10.9 
6.1 
3.7 

4.0 
9.9 
14.1 
11.5 
7.7 
15.6, 

.5 
1.0 

.7 
1.0 

.5 
7.8 
12.8 



These figures can have but one meaning — that compulsory educa- 
tion reduces illiteracy and that the South sorely needs to have hers 
reduced. In a monarchy the primary object in educating its citizens 
has been to make good, intelligent, loyal subjects. In a democracy, 
such as ours, the primary object in educating the people is to make 
good, intelligent, loyal, and prosperous citizen-sovereigns. Admit- 
tedly we are making ''the most stupendous experiment in Govern- 
ment" that the world has ever seen. We are taking our native-born 
stock and fusing with them foreigners from all quarters of the globe. 
We are makmg of practically every one of these an American citizen, 
clothing each with the power to make and to administer the laws of a 
great nation and to direct and control all the forces and resources of 
our institutional life. To meet successfully such tremendous respon- 
sibilities requires intelligence and training of the highest constructive 
order. 

If our Government is to achieve and maintam that eminence among 
the powers of the earth to which we pledge our faith, it must secure 
for itself an intelligent, efficient, and orderly citizenship. Intelli- 
gence and efficiency lie at the very foundation of any people's great- 
ness. Intelligent and efficient citizens are a State's fundamental 



102 



COMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 



asset, and the State which has the largest percentage of illiteracy has 
the smallest percentage of effective citizens. Ambassador Bryce has 
repeatedly emphasized the fact that America has put unlimited power 
into the hands of the people, and if the people are to enjoy that power 
without abusing it they must be educated; or, as a recent writer 
expresses it, ''If the people are to govern, they must know how to 
govern." By the people is meant all the people. The South could 
once boast of an administrative aristocracy capable and highly 
trained — m the language of Henry W. Grady, "almost feudal in its 
grandeur." The conditions conducive to such a society have been 
swept away, and the South to-day is preeminently the land where 
training and fitness of the masses are indispensable. It must edu- 
cate aU. 

No sound-thinking man would for a moment contend that educa- 
tion, in the common acceptation of that word, is a panacea for political 
and social ills, nor would he claim that an illiterate man is necessarily 
not a good citizen. But in a democracy where manhood suffrage 
practically prevails institutional life is exposed to tremendous dan- 
gers when in 12 States 304,774 (Exhibit E) native white males of 
voting age, or 10 per cent of the white voting population, are unable 
to read the names printed on the ballots they are supposed to cast 
intelligently for the government of the State. Please note the insig- 
nificantly small decennial decrease in native white male illiterates of 
the voting age in Alabama and Mississippi, while in South Carolina 
and Louisiana there is a material increase. 

The revelations of the Thirteenth Census are highly gratifying in 
the main. The decrease in illiteracy in the Southern States, as in the 
entire Union, between 1900 and 1910 is highly encouraging. The 
following exhibit as a whole is at once one of victory and of promise : 

Exhibit F. — Showing the actual decrease ofttative white illiterates 10 years of age and over, 

between 1900 and 1910. 



States. 



In 1900. 


In 1910. 


54,177 


50, 112 


99, 948 


79, 875 


16, 470 


14, 331 


102, 779 


84, 204 


35, 432 


28, 344 


70, 006 


60, 881 


23, 837 


17, 464 


95, 583 


81, 105 


175, 325 


131, 992 


156, 342 


120, 384 


74, 828 


54,221 


78,889 


82, 100 



Decrease. 



South Carolina 

Georgia 

Florida 

Alabama 

Mississippi 

Texas 

Maryland 

Virginia 

North Caroliaa 

Tennessee 

Arkansas 

Louisiana 



1 Increase. 



4,065 
20, 073 

2,139 
18, 575 

7,088 

9,125 

6,373 
14, 478 
43, 333 
35, 958 
20, 607 
13,201 



The decrease in illiteracy in North Carolina and Tennessee is almost 
incredible. Nothing short of a general educational awakening could 
have produced such results. On the surface the figures of this exhibit 



NEED OE COMPULSORY EDUCATIOlsr IN". THE SOUTH. 



103 



seem to promise universal literacy without attendance compelled by 
law. But let these figures be interpreted in the light of cold facts. 
Taking the total number of illiterates in these 12 States m 1910 as the 
basis, according to the actual decrease between 1900 and 1910, it would 
require 30 years for Maryland and Arkansas to banish white illiteracy 
from their borders with their present educational machinery and 
efforts. It would require 40 years for Georgia, Mississippi, and Ten- 
nessee. At the same rate for Virginia and Texas it would require 60 
years, while South Carolma would have white illiteracy in her borders 
at the end of a century. Without some relief from her present condi- 
tion, when can Louisiana hope to banish her white illiteracy ? 

But the interpretation is not finished. For every 1,000 persons 
10 years of age and over classed as illiterates there are several 
hundred other persons who can mechanically scrawl their names in 
such way as to be legible and who can spell out sentences with diffi- 
culty. These persons are unable to write well enough for either 
business or social correspondence. Their ability to read is less than 
that necessary to get an intelligent meaning from an ordinary news- 
paper article. We get only a partial view of the situation when we 
see iUiteracy as reported in the census tables. To the census tables 
must be added that army of near-illiterates who are without even 
the rudiments of an education and who are thus handicapped as 
creative forces in the State. 

The opponents of compulsory attendance insist that the people 
will send their children to school without being compelled to do so, 
if only they are shown their duty and their obligation to their chil- 
dren. These opponents declare that the younger generation of white 
children are already in school. Neither contention is true. For 20 
years the ablest and safest leaders, men and women whose names 
stand high in the Nation, have been tireless in their efforts to get the 
children into the schools without compulsion, yet approximately 25 
per cent of the native white children between the ages of 6 and 14 are 
not in school at all. In 1910 the 12 Southern States under discussion 
had 788,699 native white children between the ages of 6 and 14 not in 
school. Here are the figures: 

Exhibit G. — Native white children between 6 and 14 years of age not in school. 



states. 



Maryland 

Virginia 

North Carolina. 

Tennessee 

Arkansas 

Louisiana 

South Carolina. 

Georgia 

Florida 

Alabama 

Mis?issippi 

Texas 



Children. Per cent, 



25, 157 
74,605 
79, 261 
97,071 
60, 231 
58, 197 

39, 977 
76, 342 
21, 854 
78, 142 
26, 730 
151,232 



16.7 
26.8 
24.3 
24.8 
25.3 
31.6 

27.9 
25.2 
27.9 
30.0 
15.8 
25. 7 



104 GOMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

In this exhibit no account is taken of the children of either foreign 
or mixed white parentage or the foreign-born whites. The figures 
are confined to the native white stock. 

In some States one hears the perennial explanation of the rela- 
tively small per capita expenditure for schools — that the earning 
capacity of the people is small. WiU the per capita earning capacity 
ever be what it might so long as thousands of wage earners are so 
fettered by ignorance as to be fitted for only the most ill-paid occu- 
pations ? Intelhgence and training are the means whereby men are 
transfornjed from menials into artisans at a living wage. Poverty 
and stress of war can no longer be offered as a palliative lor the 
iUiteracy of the children who ought to be in school. 

Who are these illiterate white children and why are they not in 
school ? Some of them are the sons and daughters of parents them- 
selves ignorant and unable to appreciate or to understand what an 
education means to their children and to the State. Some are the 
children of sordid fathers and mothers who are more than wUMng to 
make wage earners and bread winners of their untaught offspring at 
the expense of their future manhood and womanhood. Many are at 
work on the farms, sacrificed to the monotonous round of planting 
crops, cultivating crops, harvesting crops, and again planting crops; 
some are at work in stores and shops or engaged as messenger boys, 
all at a small wage; many are employed in the nerve-dulling and 
blood-sapping environment of the miUs, receiving good wages as 
children in exchange for vigor of body and training of mmd as men 
and women, while thousands of others are roaming the streets and 
country lanes, the training grounds for idlers, vagrants, and enemies 
to law, order, and decency. Many of these children are the descend- 
ants of Tlie forgotten man, so well portrayed by Ambassador Page in 
his "The Kebuilding of Old Commonwealths." They became the 
neglected mass, and the neglected mass has become the indifferent mass. 
When any considerable number of people in a State become indiffer- 
ent to the intellectual, moral, and social conditions of themselves and 
their offspring, the situation becomes alarming, for illiteracy, Hke 
every other evil, tends to perpetuate itself. The iUiterate parent 
and the near-illiterate citizen are usually content with short school 
term.s, small and irregular attendance, ill-equipped and iU-paid 
teachers, inferior schoolhouses, rude furniture, and antiquated text- 
books. The bhghting blackness of ignorance obscures the light of 
knowledge and too often leaves the ignorant man wholly satisfied 
with his dismal lot. And one of the most unpromising features of 
this already gloomy prospect is that in many of the States the illiterate 
females outnumber the ilfiterate males. An ilhterate mother does 
not promise much for the child of to-morrow. 



NEED OF COMrULSORY EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH. 105 

Has the State the right to compel a parent to send his child to 
school? Many object to the word "compulsory." They are exceed- 
ingly anxious lest we should introduce into our government machinery 
something practiced by some ancient aristocracy or suggested by 
some modern monarchy. They fail to see that compulsory education 
is in its spirit and purpose both modern and democratic, in that it is 
destructive of all artificial class distinctions and aims to give all as 
nearly an even start in hfe as possible. Years ago we accepted 
without much serious question the doctrine that popular education is 
necessary to the growth and permanence of our republican institu- 
tions. Since all classes of our heterogeneous society are active 
factors therein, the State maintains schools for all the children of all 
the people in order to render its citizenship homogeneous in spirit 
and purpose. The public schools exist primarily for the benefit of 
the State rather than for the benefit of the individual. The State 
seeks to make every citizen intelligent and serviceable. The State 
compels the rich man to pay taxes to help support the schools, not 
because it owes the poor man's child an education, but because the 
State needs the intelHgent services of that child. The schools are 
democratized by compeUing the rich and poor alike to pay taxes 
according to their ability for something necessary to all. 

When the State has provided schools for all its children, it has 
performed only a part of its duty. If a universal school tax is justi- 
fiable on the ground that popular education is a necessity, compul- 
sory attendance by the State is also justifiable. The State has no 
right to levy and collect taxes for a specific purpose, then permit that 
purpose to be defeated at the hands of indifferent or selfish parents. 
For the State, under the mandates of law, to collect taxes for the 
education of its children and fail to give the education to the legal 
beneficiaries is a moral crime, if not a statutory one. In this connec- 
tion one hears much about the sacred rights and personal privileges 
of the parent who neglects or refuses to send his child to school. 
Has the helpless child no sacred rights ? Has the State not some 
privileges ? The tendency to shift from the homo those functions 
which properly belong there is regrettable. One of those functions is 
to train the children for their duties and responsibilities in the social 
organism. Society itself is imperiled whenever its members are 
unfit. One of the essentials of fitness is what we call education. 
Therefore, whenever the home refuses or neglects to prepare the child 
for society, it is not only the privilege but the duty of the State to 
see that the child is fitted for its part. Argument against the right of 
the State to send the child to school seems specious, superficial, and 
obsolete. Those who make such argument would not tor one moment 
deny the right of the State to compel the parent to feed and clothe 



106 COMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

his child, to compel him to vaccinate his child, or to compel him to 
fight for his country and to shoot him if he should deserto No one 
questions the right of the State to carry the law-breaking child to the 
reformatory or to jail to protect society. Has not the State as much 
right to carry the child to the schoolhouse to save him from the 
reformatory or the jail, and to train him to benefit society? 

When the State compels the parent to send his child to school, 
it is simply compelling the parent to put the child in possession of his 
own rightful inheritance. In a narrow sense that inheritance is his 
right to the benefit of what the State has collected and set apart for 
him; in a wider and truer sense it means his opportunity to make of 
himself all that his God-given abilities will permit him to become; 
in the broadest sense it is his becoming fitted to take his place in the 
State to perform the sacred duties of an intelligent and patriotic 
citizen. 

Objection is often made that compulsory attendance would work 
hardships in the homes of the poor. Is it not a fact that the poor 
child is the very one who most needs the aid of the State to bring him 
into possession of his own? He it is who must soon face the com- 
plexities of modern life and the insistent demands of citizenship with 
none of the advantages common to birth or wealth. The poor child 
is the very one whom the State ought to help, because he himself is 
helpless. The child of the poor must work, but is it either right or 
humane that he should be forever denied his share of his inheritance 
in order to be a breadwinner for a selfish, unfeeling father? If it 
be true that the American home can not be supported by the adult 
members of the normal family, we are confronted with one of the 
gravest problems ever met in any country. No State on a sound 
economic and social basis can afford to permit its children to be 
employed as breadwinners when they should be in school equipping 
themselves for productive citizenship. Besides, it ought not to 
require much economic sagacity to understand that every child put 
into any gainful occupation contributes to the lowering of the wage 
or income of every adult in the same establishment. Child labor is 
ruinous to the wages of the parents. 

Over and over we are assured that compulsory attendance laws 
could not be enforced, that such laws would be ignored or defied. 
That is begging the question. Why not the same skepticism about 
the enforcement of any other law ? The opponents insist that a com- 
pulsory law could not be enforced, because the people are not ready 
for such a law. Would there be any use for this law or any other 
law, if all the people were ready and waiting to obey it ? Laws are 
enacted to compel men to do that which they ought to do, but will 
not do voluntarily. Tens of thousands of people in America are not 



NEED OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH. 107 

obeying the Ten Commandments. Are we to justify this disobedi- 
ence on the ground that the people are not quite ready for the 
Decalog? Or, is the Decalog a piece of unwise and premature legis- 
lation, because some of us do not obey it? Will any law enforce 
itself? Will any law be enforced until an honest effort has been 
made to do so? And what is meant by successful enforcement? 
Can the enforcement of a law be called unsuccessful so long as it is 
violated by the few? In every civilized land there is a law against 
homicide. There are many violations of that law. Shall we for 
that reason call the law a failure and repeal it? To argue that a 
compulsory attendance law could not be enforced is to argue that 
we are not a law-abiding people. 

It is further argued that a child forced to attend school would 
derive but little benefit from such attendance. Those who argue 
thus forget that the compulsion is not in bringing to the school the 
unwilling child, but in forcing an indifferent, mercenary, or recreant 
parent to let his child go to school. The average child between 8 and 
14 years of age is willing enough to go to school, if he has even the 
opportunity. 

Another contention is that compulsory laws could not be enforced 
without truant officers, and that such officer must be paid out of the 
school funds. No one denies the necessity for the truant officer and 
that he must be paid. Any city in the land would save thousands 
of dollars every year in the way of salaries, if it would dismiss its 
policemen, its constables, and its detectives. But these officers are 
necessary to perform for the people services more valuable than the 
sum of salaries. So it would be with the truant officers. We are 
perfectly willing to pay an officer of the law to arrest men for the 
most trivial offenses, but it is out of all reason to pay an officer of 
the law to see that a lazy, selfish, or thriftless father sends his child 
to school to give him an opportunity to improve on his father. The 
history of compulsory attendance laws has been that after a few 
months' operation the violations become fewer and fewer, the en- 
forcement of the laws finally becoming nearly automatic. 

Frequently the opponents iAsist that we have not enough school- 
houses and teachers to take care of the thousands of children whom 
a compulsory law would add to the school attendance. If this be 
true, the situation should be alarming to even the opponents. These 
opponents, were they farmers, would probably oppose any increase 
in the yield of their cornfields, because their corncribs would not hold 
the crop. Such argument is puerile, unless we are prepared to 
admit that the people are actually unable to take care of their own 
children. Will the schoolhouses ever be built or the teachers em- 
ployed until there is need for them ? 



108 ' COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

A few temporizing aspirants to leadership declare for compulsory 
education when pressed to take a stand, but add that the people are 
not quite ready for it. Who are the people not quite ready ? Why 
are they not quite ready? When shall they be quite ready? Are 
they not the same people who were not quite ready for any kind of 
education at public expense, and were not quite ready to vote for 
water-supply systems, for electric-light plants, and for other public 
utilities? These people are not quite ready to do anything which 
they have not always done, and some of them would not be quite 
ready to vote for compulsory school attendance 20 years hence, even 
if their children were signing their names with cross marks. These 
temporizers must know that by compulsion alone we shall get all the 
children into the schools, yet they are hindering the day which they 
admit ought to come. They justify their course by saying that they 
are leading the people instead of driving them. These men ought 
to know that leaders must be men of large vision, strong conviction, 
and faith in themselves and their cause. They mistake timidity for 
discretion. Parents in the bonds of ignorance, blinded by indiffer- 
ence, greed, and stifling cupidity, are not easily lured into educating 
their children. Experience teaches that compulsion is necessary. 
Neither bonuses nor local-option laws will put all the children into 
the schools. The tale of those who have tried local option in this 
matter is one of pitiable failure, save as a mere preface to State-wide 
compulsion. 

The argument against compulsory attendance on account of the 
negro has been worn threadbare; surely the time has come to drop 
it. Some phases of it are pathetic. Is it wise or expedient to per- 
mit thousands of white boys and girls to grow up in ignorance lest 
in forcing them into school the aspirations of the negro child should 
be awakened? Shall the white man remain ignorant in order to 
encourage or to compel the negro to remain ignorant ? Is it better 
for white and black to remain ignorant than for both to become 
intelligent? The only logical conclusion to such argument is that 
the ignorant white man can compete successfully with the ignorant 
negro, but that the trained white man can not compete with the 
trained negro. Then what becomes of the boasted superiority of the 
white man ? Has the white man so nearly reached the zenith of his 
possibilities that he can not keep well in advance of the ambitious 
negro ? 

The man who opposes compulsory attendance from a fear of put- 
ting the negro into school must be ill-informed as to the actual 
situation. The negro child needs no compulsory law to put him into 
school. He is already there wherever and whenever possible. No 
matter what a mian's views on negro education, his admiration is 



NEED OP COMPULSORY EDUCATION IE" THE SOUTH. 



109 



challenged by tlie zeal and eagerness of the negro child to go to 
school. His thirst for knowledge would be commendable in any 
race. Not only is the negro in school, but he is learnmg. Let any 
skeptic examme the following figures : 

Exhibit H. — Negro illiterates 10 years of age and over. 



Maryland 

Virginia 

North Carolina 

Tennessee 

Arkansas 

Louisiana 

South Carolina 

Georgia 

Florida 

Alabama 

Mississippi 

Texas 



1890 


1900 


Per ct. 


Per ct. 


50.1 


35.1 


57.2 


44.6 


60.1 


47.6 


54.2 


41.6 


53.6 


43.0 


72.1 


61.1 


64.1 


52.8 


67.3 


62.4 


50.6 


38.4 


69.1 


57.4 


60.9 


49.1 


52.5 


38.2 



Perct. 
23.4 
30.0 
33.9 
27.3 
26.4 
48.4 

38.7 
36.5 
25.5 
40.1 
35.6 
24.6 



There are many who contend that our educational conditions are 
matters for congratulation. The writer yields to no one in the mat- 
ter of pride over what has been accomplished educationally in the 
past 40 years. It is a source of constant delight to see and to hear 
of so many tangible evidences of educational progress. For several 
decades the various organizations of educational workers have been 
coming together annually to discuss means for the betterment of the 
schools. They have brought together regularly much of the best 
thought and ripest experience of the Nation, and have laid just tribute 
upon foreign countries in their conferences. It is no empty boast 
to say that these organizations have wrought wonderfully m con- 
structive educational statesmanship. In addition to all these, Con- 
gressmen, governors, legislators, publicists, philanthropists, business 
men, and taxpayers have frequently come together to consider the 
means for educational advancement. 

In all these gatherings we have planned better schools, mspired 
the taxpayers to vote taxes for schools, encouraged the people to 
build model schoolhouses, to lengthen their school terms, to employ 
better teachers and to pay them better salaries, and to make their 
schools their pride. But what has been accomplished in the way of 
a substantial decrease in the illiteracy of the citizenship ? In these 
larger gatherings one State reports that it has put its university at 
the head as to entrance requirements; another State reports that it 
has doubled its school revenues within very recent years; another 
reports that it has doubled its secondary-school attendance within a 
very short time; another boasts that it has marvelously increased 
its common-school enrollment within the past 10 years, but over- 



110 COMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

looks the fact that its natural decennial increase in population also 
has been marvelous; still another State boasts that it has built a 
new schoolhouse every week day in the year and two on Sundays. 
All these reports are inspiring, but how many have had the courage 
or the cause to boast of any permanent, substantial decrease in the 
illiteracy of their people? Of what value are all our school taxes, 
our elegant schoolhouses, our improved schools to the thousands of 
boys and girls who never enter the door of a schoolhouse ? 



V. LAWS OF OHIO AND OF MASSACHUSETTS EELATING 
TO COMPULSORY EDUCATION AND CHILD LABOR. 



OHIO.' 



AN ACT * * * relating to children and to females under 21 years of age and to 
organizations which, include within their objects matters relating to children. 

(Approved May 9, 1913.) 
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio: 

COMPULSORY EDUCATION. 

Sec. 7763. Every parent, guardian, or other person having charge of any child 
between the ages of 8 and 15 years of age, if a male, and 16 years of age if a female, 
must send such child to a public, private, or parochial school, for the full time that the 
school attended is in session, which shall in no case be for less than 28 weeks. Such 
attendance must begin within the first week of the school term, unless the child is 
excused therefrom by the superintendent of the public schools, in city or other districts 
having such superintendent, or by the clerk of the board of education in village, 
special, and township districts not having a superintendent, or by the principal of the 
priva,te or parochial school, upon satisfactory showing, either that the bodily or mental 
condition of the child does not permit of its attendance at school, or that the child is 
being instructed at home by a person qualified, in the opinion of such superintendent 
or clerk, as the case may be, to teach the branches named in the next preceding 
section. 

Sec. 7764. In case such superintendent, principal, or clerk refuses to excuse a 
child from attendance at school, an appeal may be taken from such decision to the 
judge of the juvenile court of the county, upon the giving of a bond, within 10 days 
thereafter, to the approval of such judge, to pay the costs of the appeal. His decision 
in the matter shall be final. All children between the ages of 15 and 16 years, not 
engaged in some regular employment, shall attend school for the full term the schools, 
of the district in which they reside are in session during the school year, unless excused 
for the reasons above named. 

Sec. 7765. No boy under 16 years of age and no girl under 18 years of age shall be 
employed or be in the employment of any person, company, or corporation unless 
such child presents to such person, company, or corporation an age and school certifi- 
cate herein provided for, as a condition of employment. Such employer shall keep 
the same on file in the establishment where such minor is employed for inspection 
by the truant officer or officers of the department of workshops and factories. 

Sec. 7766. An age and schooling certificate shall be approved only by the superin- 
tendent of schools, or by a person authorized by him, in city or other districts having 
such superintendent, or by the clerk of the board of education in village, special, and 
township districts not having such superintendent, upon satisfactory proof that such 
child, if a male, is over 15 years of age or, if a female, is over 16 years of age, and that 
such child has been examined and passed a satisfactory sixth-grade test, if a male, 

1 Ohio Session Laws, 1913, pp. 864, et seq. 

Ill 



112 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

and seventh-grade test if a female, in the studies enumerated in section 7762: Provided, 
That residents of other States who work in Ohio must qualify as aforesaid with the 
proper school authority in the school district in which the establishment is located, 
as a condition of employment or service, and that the employment contemplated by 
the child is not prohibited by any law regulating the employment of such children. 
Every such age and schooling certificate shall be signed in the presence of the officer 
issuing the same by the child in whose name it is issued. 

In order to ascertain whether applicants for such certificates have satisfactorily 
completed the studies herein prescribed as a condition for the issuance of said certifi- 
cates, the board of education of each city school district may appoint a juvenile 
examiner who shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the board of edu- 
cation. No such child residing in a city shall be granted such certificate unless such 
juvenile examiner shall have previously certified that he has examined such child 
and that he has passed to his satisfaction the grade test as provided by this section: 
Provided, further, That if a child in the opinion of said juvenile examiner is below the 
normal in mental development so that he can not with due industry pass such test, 
and if the school record shows that such child is below the normal in development, 
such, fact may be certified to by said examiner, and the superintendent or person 
authorized by him may at his discretion grant such child such age and schooling 
certificate : Provided, That if said examiner is satisfied that the standard of any school is 
sufficiently high, he may accept the records thereof as showing that such child has 
passed such test without fiirther examination. 

The age and schooling certificate must be formulated by the State commissioner of 
common schools, and furnished in blank by the clerk of the board of education. It 
shall show the date of its issue. A record giving all the facts contained on every 
certificate issued shall be kept on file in the office issuing the same, and also a record 
of the names and addresses of the children to whom certificates have been refused, 
together with the names of the schools which such children should attend and the 
reasons for refusal. 

The superintendent of schools or other persons authorized to issue employment 
certificates shall transmit between the first and tenth days of each month to the office 
of the chief inspector of workshops and factories, upon blanks to be furnished by him, 
a list of the names of the children to whom certificates have been issued, returned, or 
refused. Such lists shall give the name and address of the prospective employer and 
the nature of the occupation the child intends to engage in. 

Any child between 15 and 16 years of age who shall cease to work for any cause 
whatever shall report the fact and cause at once to the superintendent of schools, or 
to a person authorized by him in city or other districts having such superintendent, 
or to the clerk of the board of education in village, township, or special districts not 
having such superintendent; said child shall be required to return to school within 
two weeks, provided other employment is not secured within such time: Provided, 
That should a child in the opinion of the superintendent or person authorized by him 
in cities and districts having such superintendent, or the clerk of the board of educa- 
tion in village, township, or special districts, lose his employment by reason of per- 
sistent wUlful misconduct or continuous inconstancy, he may be placed in school 
imtil the close of the current school year. 

The superintendent of schools or the person authorized by him to issue age and 
schooling certificates shall not issue such certificates until he has received, examined, 
approved, and filed the following papers duly executed: 

(1) The written pledge or promise of the person, partnership, or corporation to 
legally employ the child, also the written agreement to return to the superin- 
tendent of schools or to the person authorized by him to issue such certificates, the 
age and schooliQg certificate of the child within two days from the date of the child's 



COMPULSORY EDUCATION AND CHILD LABOE IN OHIO. 113 

withdrawal or dismissal from the service of the person, partnership, or corporation, 
giving the reason for such withdrawal or dismissal. 

(2) The school record of such child, properly filled out and signed by the prin- 
cipal or other person in charge of the school which such child last attended, giving 
the name, age, address, standing in studies enumerated in section 7762, and the num- 
ber of weeks attendance in school during the school year previous to applying for 
such school record, and general conduct. 

(3) As evidence of age (a) a passport or duly attested transcript of a passport, filed 
with a registrar of passports or other officer charged with the duty of registering pass- 
ports at the several ports of entry to the United States; or duly attested transcript 
of the certificate of birth or baptism or other religious record, showing the date and 
place of birth of such child; or (b) a duly attested transcript of the birth certificate, 
filed according to law with a registrar of vital statistics, or other officer charged with 
the duty of recording births, shall be conclusive evidence of the age of the child. 
(c) In case none of the above proofs of age can be produced, other documentary 
evidence of age which shall appear to be satisfactory to the officer issuing the cer- 
tificate (aside from the school record of such child or the affidavit of parent, guardian, 
or custodian), may be accepted in lieu thereof. In such case a school census or 
enumeration record, duly attested, may be used as proof of age in the discretion of 
the officer issuing the certificate, (d) In case no documentary proof of age of any 
kind can be produced, the officer issuing the certificate may receive and file an appli- 
cation signed by the parent, guardian, or custodian of the child for a physician's 
certificate. Such application shall contain the name, alleged age, place, and date 
of birth, and present residence of the child, together with such further facts as may 
be of assistance in determining the age of such child, and shall contain a statement 
certifying that the parent, guardian, or custodian signing such application is unable 
to produce any of the documentary proofs of age specified in the preceding subdivisions 
of this section. If the superintendent, or officer authorized by him to issue such 
certificate, is satisfied that a reasonable effort to procure such documentary proof 
has been made, the certificate of the school physician, or, if there be none, of a phy- 
sician employed for the purpose by the board of education that such physician has 
made a physical examination of such child and is satisfied that he is more than 15 
years of age, if a male, or that she is more than 16 years of age, if a female, shall be 
accepted as sufficient proof of the age of such child for the purpose of this act. 

(4) A certificate from the school physician, or if there should be none, of the board 
of health, and if there be no board of health within the school district in question, 
from a licensed physician appointed by the board of education, showing that the 
child is physically fit to be employed in any of the occupations permitted by law 
for a child between 15 and 16 years of age: Provided, That if the records of the school 
physician show such child to have been previously sound in health, no further physi- 
cian's certificate need be required, but the officer authorized to issue such certifi- 
cate may at his discretion require such physician's certificate in any case, as a condi- 
tion to the issuing of an age and schooling certificate. 

The superintendent or i^erson authorized by him may issue special vacation 
certificates to boys under 16 years of age and girls under 18 years of age, which shall 
entitle the holders thereof to be employed during vacation in occupations not for- 
bidden by law to such children, even though such child may not have completed the 
sixth grade, but provided he has complied with all the other requirements for obtain- 
ing the certificate hereinbefore described. 

Sec. 7767. All minors over the age of 15 and under the age of 16 years, who have 
not passed a satisfactory sixth-grade test in the studies enumerated in section 7762, 
shall attend school as provided in section 7763, and all the provisions thereof shall 
apply to such minors. 
14426°— 14 8 



114 COMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

In case the board of education of any school district establishes part-time day 
schools for the instruction of youth over 15 years of age who are engaged in regular 
employment, such board of education is authorized to require all youth who have 
not satisfactorily completed the eighth grade of the elementary schools to continue 
their schooling until they are 16 years of age: Provided, however, That such youth, 
if they have been granted age and schooling certificates and are regularly employed, 
shall be required to attend school not to exceed eight hours a week, between the 
hours of 8 a. m. and 5 p. m. during the school term. All youth between 15 and 16 
years of age, who are not employed, shall be required to attend school the full time. 

Sec. 7768. Every child between the ages of 8 and 15 years, if a male, or between 
the ages of 8 and 16, if a female, and every male child between the ages of 15 and 
16 years not engaged in some regular employment, who is an habitual truant from 
school, or who absents itself habitually from school, or who, while in attendance 
at any public, private, or parochial school, is incorrigible, vicious, or immoral in 
conduct, or who habitually wanders about the streets and public places during scho(_;l 
hours, having no business or lawful occupation, or violates any of the provisions of 
this act, shall be deemed a delinquent child, and shall be subject to the provisions 
of law relating to delinquent children. 

Sec. 7770. The truant officer and assistants shall be vested with police powers, 
and the authority to serve warrants, and have authority to enter workshops, factories, 
stores, and all other places where children are employed, and do whatever may be 
necessary, in the way of investigation or otherwise, to enforce this act. He also may 
take into custody any youth between 8 and 15 years of age, or between 15 and 16 
years of age, when not regularly employed, who is not attending school, and shall 
conduct such youth to the school he has been attending, or which he rightfully should 
attend. 

Sec 7771. The truant officer shall institute proceedings against any officer, parent, 
guardian, person, partnership, or corporation violating any provisions of this chapter, 
and otherwise discharge the duties described therein, and perform such other services 
as the superintendent of schools or the board of education may deem necessary to 
preserve the morals and secure the good conduct of school children, and to enforce 
the provisions of this chapter. The truant officer shall keep on file the name, address, 
and record of all children between the ages of 15 and 16 to whom age and schooling 
certificates have been granted who desire employment, and manufacturers, employ- 
ers, or other persons requiring help of legal age shall have access to such files. The 
truant officer shall cooperate with the department of workshops and factories in 
enforcing the conditions and requirements of the child -labor laws of Ohio, furnishing 
upon request such data as he has'coUected in his reports of children from 8 to 16 years 
of age and also concerning employers, to the department of workshops and factories 
and to the State commissioner of schools. He must keep a record of his transaction.^ 
for the inspection and information of the superintendent of schools and the board of 
education; and make daily reports to the superintendent during the school term in 
districts having them, and to the clerk of the board of education in districts not 
having superintendents as often as required by him. Suitable blanks for the use of 
the truant officer shall be provided by the clerk of the board of education. 

Sec. 7773. On the request of the superintendent of schools or the board of education 
or when it otherwise comes to his notice, the truant officer shall examine into any 
case of truancy within his district, and warn the truant and his parents, guardian, or 
other person in charge, in writing, of the final consequences of truancy if persisted in. 
''t^Tien any child between the ages of 8 and 15 years, or between the ages of 15 and 16 
years, in violation of the provisions of this chapter is not regularly employed and is 
not attending school, the truant officer shall notify the parent, guardian, or other 
person in charge of such child, of the fact, and require such parent, guardian, or 
other person in charge^ to cause the child to attend some recognized school within 



COMPULSORY EDUCATION AND CHILD LABOR IN OHIO. 115 

two days from the date of the notice; and it shall be the duty of the parent, guardian, 
or other person in charge of the child so to cause its attendance at some recognized 
school. Upon failure to do so, the truant officer shall make complaint against the par- 
ent, guardian, or other person in charge of the child, in any court of competent juris- 
diction in the city, special village, or township district in which the offense occurred 
for such failure. 

Sec. 7774. If the parent, guardian, or other person in charge of any child, upon 
complaint for a failure to cause the child to attend a recognized school, proves inability 
to do so, then he or she must be discharged and thereupon the truant officer shall 
make complaint that the child is a juvenile disorderly person within the meaning of 
section 7768. If such complaint be made before a mayor, justice of the peace, or 
police judge, it must be certified by such magistrate to the judge of the juvenile 
court, who shall hear the complaint, and if he determines that the child is a juvenile 
disorderly person within the meaning of such section, and if under 10 years of age, 
and eligible for admission thereto, he shall commit the child to a children's home, 
or, if not eligible, then to a house of refuge, if there be one in the county, or otherwise 
committed as provided by law. 

Sec. 7779. Annually between the 1st day of July and the 1st day of August, truant 
officers must report to the judge of the juvenile court of their respective counties the 
names, ages, and residences of all such children between the ages of 8 and 18 years, 
with the names and post-office address of their parents, guardians, or the person in 
charge of them; also a statement whether the parents, guardians, or persons in charge of 
each child are able to educate and are educating the child, or whether the interests 
of the child will be promoted by sending it to one of the State institutions mentioned. 

Sec. 7780. Upon information thus or otherwise obtained, the judge of the juvenile 
court may fix a time when he will hear the question whether any such child shall 
be required to be sent for instruction to one of the State institutions mentioned, and 
thereupon issue a warrant to the proper truant officer or some other suitable person, 
to bring the child before him, at his office at the time fixed for the hearing. He also 
shall issue an order on the parents, guardian, or person in charge of the child to appear 
before him at such hearing, a copy of which order, in writing, must be served per- 
sonally on the proper person by the truant officer or other person ordered to bring 
the child before the judge. If, on the hearing, the judge of the juvenile court is 
satisfied that the child is not being properly educated at home, and wUl be benefited 
by attendance at one of the State institutions mentioned, and is a suitable person to 
receive instructions therein, he may send or commit such child as provided by law. 

Sec. 7782. In every case of complaint against a child, involving commitment to a 
children's home or juvenile reformatory, the board of county visitors may be notified, 
and if so notified it must attend and protect the interest of the child on the hearing, 
as provided by law in regard to the commitment to an industrial or reform school. 
The order of commitment of the child to a State reformatory may show that the 
county visitors were so notified and attended the hearing. 

OFFENSES AGAINST MINORS AND FEMALES BETWEEN 18 AND 21 YEARS. 

Sec. 12957. Whoever, being a minor, enters a saloon, beer garden, or other place 
where intoxicating liquor is sold or offered for sale except when accompanied by a 
parent or guardian, shall be fined not less than $1 nor more than $5, and for each 
subsequent offense shall be fined not less than $5 nor more than $25 or imprisoned 
not more than 10 days or both. 

Sec. 12964. Whoever entices a minor to engage in a game for money or other valuable 
thing, or makes a wager with a minor upon the result of a game, or permits a minor to 
play a slot machine or other gambling device for wares or merchandise or any other 
thing of value, shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $100, or imprisoned not 
less than three months nor more than one year. 



116 COMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

Sec. 12966. Whoever sells or exhibits for sale, to a minor under 16 years of age, a 
pistol manufactured of a metallic or hard substance, commonly known as a "toy 
pistol " or air gun, or any form of explosive gun, shall be fined not less than $10 nor 
more than $50, or imprisoned not less than 10 days nor more than 20 days, or both, 
and be liable in damages to any person injured by such sale. 

Sec. 12967. Whoever sells, barters, famishes, or gives to a minor under the age of 
17 years, an air gun, musket, rifle, shotgun, revolver, pistol, or other firearm, or 
ammunition therefor, or, being the owner or having charge or control thereof, know- 
ingly permits it to be used by a minor under such age, shall be fined not more than 
$100 or imprisoned in jail not more than 30 days, or both. 

Sec. 12968. Whoever takes, receives, hires, employs, uses, exhibits, sells, appren- 
tices, gives away, lets out, or otherwise disposes of a child, under the age of 14 years 
for or in the vocation, occupation, service, or purpose of singing, playing on musical 
instruments, rope or wire walking, dancing, taking any part in, or appearing in con- 
nection with a moving picture exhibition or performance given in a theater or place 
of public amusement, begging or peddling, or as a gymnast, contortionist, rider, or 
acrobat, or for an obscene, indecent, or immoral purpose, exhibition, or practice, or 
for or in a business exhibition or vocation injurious to the health or dangerous to the 
life or limb of such child, or causes, procures, or encourages such child to engage 
therein, or causes or permits such child to suffer or inflicts upon it injustifiable physical 
pain or mental suffering, or has such child in custody for any of such purposes, shall 
be fined not more than $200 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. 

Sec. 12970-1. When such person is convicted, sentenced, and confined in a work- 
house, the county from which he is so convicted, sentenced, and confined, upon the 
warrant of the county auditor of such county, and out of the general revenue fund 
thereof, shall pay monthly 50 cents for each day he is so confined, to a trustee to be 
appointed by the court imposing such sentence, to be expended for the maintenance 
o£such child or children under 16 years of age. 

EMPLOyiNG MINORS AND FEMALES BETWEEN 18 AND 21 IN FACTORY, 

ETC. 

Sec. 12993. No male child under 15 years or female child under 16 years of age 
shall be employed, permitted, or suffered to work in, about, or in connection with 
any (1) mill, (2) factory, (3) workshop, (4) mercantile or mechanical establishments, 
(5) tenement house, manufactory or workshop, (6) store, (7) ofiice, (8) office building, 
(9) restaurant, (10) boarding house, (11) bakery, (12) barber shop, (13) hotel, (14) 
apartment house, (15) bootblack stand or establishment, (16) public stable, (17) 
garage, (18) laundry, (19) place of amusement, (20) club, (21) or as a driver, (22) or in 
any brick or lumber yard, (23) or in the construction or repair of buildings, (24) or in 
.the distribution, transmission, or sale of merchandise, (25) nor any boy under 15 or 
female under 21 years in the transmission of messages. 

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to employ, permit, or 
suffer to work any child under 15 years of age in any business whatever during any 
of the hours when the public schools of the district in which the child resides are in 
session. 

Sec 12994. No boy under 16 years of age and no girl under 18 years of age shall be 
employed or permitted to work on or in connection with the establishments mentioned 
in section 12993 of the General Code, or in the distribution or transmission of mer- 
chandise or messages unless such employer first procures from the proper authority 
the age and schooling certificate provided by law. 

Sec 12995. The certificate mentioned in the section 12994 shall be filed in the ofiice 
of such establishment and shall be produced for inspection upon request t>herefor by 



COMPULSORY EDUCATION AND CHILD LABOR IN OHIO. 117 

the chief or district inspector of workshops and factories or a truant officei" and shall 
be returned forthwith to the superintendent of schools or other persons legally issuing 
it, by the person in charge or manager of such establishment upon the termination of 
the employment of such minor. Upon failure on the part of the employer so to return 
said certificate within two days, the child terminating his employment shall be 
entitled to recover from such employer in a civil action as damages an amount equal 
to the wages which he would have earned had he continued in said employment for 
the period between such termination thereof and the time when such certificate is 
so returned. If such child at any time fails to appear for work without explanation, 
the employment shall be deemed within the purposes of this section to have termi- 
nated upon the expiration of two days after his so failing to appear. 

Sec. 12996. No boy under the age of 16 and no girl under the age of 18 years shall be 
employed, permitted, or suffered to work in, about, or in connection with any estab- 
lishment or occupation named in section 12993 (1) for more than six days in any one 
week, (2) nor more than 48 hours in any week, (3) nor more than eight hours in any 
one day, (4) or before the hours of 7 o'clock in the morning or after the hour of 6 o'clock 
in the evening. The presence of such child in any establishment during working 
hours shall be prima facie evidence of its employment therein. No boy under the 
age of 18 years or girl under the age of 21 years shall be employed, permitted, or 
suffered to work in, about, or in connection with any establishment or occupation 
named in section 12993 (1) for more than six days in any on« week, (2) nor more than 
54 hours in any week, (3) nor more than 10 hours in any one day, (4) or before the 
hour of 6 o'clock in the morning or after the hour of 10 o'clock in the evening. In 
estimating such periods, the time spent at different employments or under different 
employers shall be considered as a whole and not separately. 

Sec. 12996-1. No person having charge or management of a telephone, telegraph, 
or messenger office or company shall employ a boy under the age of 18 years to work 
as a messenger in connection with such office or company before the hour of 6 o'clock 
in the morning or after the hoiu* of 9 o'clock in the evening of any day. 

Sec. 12997. A boy or girl employed as provided in section 12996-1, shall be entitled 
to not less than 30 consecutive minutes for meal time within five hours from the time 
of beginning work which shall not be included as a part of the work hours of the day or 
week. 

Sec. 12998. No child under 16 years of age shall be employed, permitted, or suffered 
to work in, about, or in connection with any establishment or occupation named in 
section 12993 unless the person, firm, or corporation employing such child keeps two 
complete lists of names together with the ages of all boys under 16 years of age and all 
girls under 18 years of age employed in or for such establishment or in such occupation, 
one on file and one conspicuously posted near the principal entrance of the place or 
establishment in which such children are employed. 

Every employer shall post and keep posted in a conspicuous place in eveiy room 
where any boy under the age of 18, or any girl under the age of 21 is employed, per- 
mitted, or suffered to work, a printed notice stating the maximum number of hours 
such person may be required or permitted to work on each day of the week, the hours 
of commencing and stopping work, and the hours allowed for dinner or for meals. 
The printed form of such notices shall be furnished by the chief inspector of work- 
shops and factories and the employment of any minor for a longer time in any day 
than so stated, or at any time other than as stated in said printed notice shall be 
deemed a violation of the provisions of this act. 

Sec. 12999. The notice provided in section 12998 shall he formulated by the chief 
inspector of workshops and factories, approved by the attorney general, and furnished 
by such inspector upon application therefor. 



118 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

Sec. 13001. No child under the age of 16 years shall be employed, permitted, or 
sufCered to work at any of the following occupations or any of the following positions: 
(1) Adjusting any belt to any machinery; (2) sewing or lacing machine belts iu any 
workshop or factory; (3) oiling, wiping, or cleaning machinery or assisting therein; 
(4) operating or assisting in operating any of the following machines: (a) circular or 
band saws; (b) wood shapers; (c) wood jointers; (d) planers; (e) sandpaper or wood- 
polishing machinery; (f) woodturmng or boring machinery; (g) picker machines or 
machines used in picking wool, cotton, hair, or any other material; (h) carding ma- 
chines; (i) paper-lace machines; (j) leather-burnishing machines; (k) job or cylinder 
printing presses operated by power other than foot power; (1) boring or drill presses; 
(m) stamping machines used in sheet-metal and tinware, or in paper and leather 
manufacturing, or in washer and nut factories; (n) metal or paper cutting machines; 
(o) corner-staying machines in paper-box factories; (p) corrugating rolls, such as are 
used in corrugated paper, roofing, or washboard factories; (q) steam boilers; (r) dough 
brakes or cracker machinery of any description; (s) wire or iron straightening or draw- 
ing machinery; (t) rolling-mill machinery; (u) power punches or shears; (v) washing, 
grinding, or mixing machinery; (w) calendar rolls in paper and rubber manufactur- 
ing; (x) laundering machines; (y) burring machinery; (5) or in proximity to any hazard- 
ous or unguarded belts, machinery, or gearing; (6) or upon any railroad, whether 
steam, electric, or hydraulic; (7) or upon any vessel or boat engaged in naAdgation or 
commerce within the jurisdiction of this State. 

Sec. 13002. No child under the age of 16 years shall be employed, permitted, or 
suffered to work in any capacity (1) in, about, or in connection with any processes 
in which dangerous or poisonous acids are used; (2) nor in the manufactxire or packing 
of paints, colors, white or red lead; (3) nor in soldering; (4) nor in occupations causing 
dust in injurious quantities; (5) nor in the manufacture or use of dangerous or poison- 
ous dyes; (6) nor in the manufacture or preparation of compositions with dangerous or 
poisonous gases; (7) nor in the mamifacture or use of compositions of lye in which the 
quantity thereof is injurious to health; (8) nor on scaffolding; (9) nor in heavy work 
in the building trades; (10) nor in any tunnel excavation; (11) nor in, about, or in 
connection with any mine, coal breaker, coke oven, or quarry; (12) nor in assorting, 
manufacturing, or packing tobacco; (13) nor in operating any automobile, motor car, 
or truck; (14) nor in a bowUng alley; (15) nor in a pool or billiard room; (16) nor in any 
other occupation dangerous to the life and limb, or injurious to the health or morals 
of such child. 

Sec. 13003. The State board of health may, from time to time, after a hearing duly 
had, determine whether or not any particular trade, process of manufacture, or occu- 
pation in which the employment of children under the age oi 16 years is not already 
forbidden by law, or any particular method of carrying on such trade, process of manu- 
facture, or occupation, is sufficiently dangerous to the lives or limbs or injurious to 
the health or morals of children under 16 years of age to justify their exclusion there- 
from. No child under 16 years of age shall be employed, permitted, or suffered to 
work in any occupation thus determined to be dangerous or injurious to such children. 
There shall be a right of appeal to the common pleas court from any such determina- 
tion. 

Sec. 13005. No female under the age of 21 years shall be engaged or permitted to 
work at any employment which compels her to remain standing constantly while on 
duty. 

Sec. 13006. No female visitor, truant officer, factory inspector, or other officer 
thereunto authorized by this chapter shall be prevented, as provided by law, from 
entering, at any time, a shop, factory, or mercantile establishment for the purpose 
of making a lawful inspection thereof. 

Sec. 13007-1. An inspector of factories, truant officer, or other officer charged with 
the enforcement of this act may make demand on any employer in or about whose 



COMPULSOEY EDUCATION AND CHILD LABOR IN OHIO. 119 

place or establisliment a child apparently under the age of 16 years is employed or 
permitted or suffered to work, and whose employment certificate is not filed as required 
by this act, that such employer shall furnish him, within 10 days, satisfactory evidence 
that such child is in fact over 16 years of age. The inspector of factories, truant officer, 
or other officer charged with the enforcement of this act, shall require from sudi 
employer the same evidence of age of such child as is required upon the issuance of 
an. employment certificate, and the employer furnishing such evidence shall not be 
required to furnish any further evidence of the age of the child: Provided, That 
nothing herein contained shall be construed as permitting any of the acts prohibited 
by other sections of this chapter or as in any way exempting such employer from 
prosecution under other sections of this chapter. 

Sec. 13007-2. In case any employer shall fail to produce and deliver to a factory 
inspector, truant officer, or other officer charged with the enforcement of this act, 
witt-in 10 days after demand made pursuant to section 13007-1 of this act, the evidence 
of age therein required, proof of the making of such demand and of such failure to 
produce and file such evidence shall be prima facie evidence of the illegal employment 
of such child in any prosecution brought therefor. 

Sec. 13007-3. No child under the age of 18 years shall be employed, permitted, or 
suffered to work (1) in or about or in connection with blast furnaces, docks, or wharves; 
(2) in the outside erection or repair of electric wires; (3) in the running or management 
of elevators, lifts, or hoisting machines or dynamos; (4) in oiling or cleaning machinery 
in motion; (5) in the operation of emery wheels or any abrasive, polishing, or biiffiug 
wheel where articles of the baser metals or iridium are manufactured; (6) at switch 
tending; (7) gate tending; (8) track repairing; (9) or as brakeman, fireman, engineers, 
motormen, or conductors upon railroads; (10) or as railroad telegraph operators; (11) 
as pilots, firemen, or engineers upon boats and vessels; (12) or in or about establish- 
ments wherein nitroglycerin, dynanaite, dualin, guncotton, gunpowder, or other 
high or dangerous explosives are manufactured, compounded, or stored; (13) or in 
the manufacture of white or yellow phosphorus or phosphorous matches; (14) or in any 
distillery, brewery, or any other establishment where malt or alcoholic liquors are 
manufactured, packed, wrapped, or bottled; (15) or in any hotel, theater, concert 
hall, place of amusement, or any other establishment where intoxicating liquors are 
sold; (16) nor any boy under 16 or girl under 18 in any theater or other place of amuse- 
ment, except on the stage thereof when not otherwise prohibited by law. 

Sec. 13007-4. The State board of health may, from time to tioae, after hearing duly 
had, determine whether or not any particular trade, process of manufacture, or occu- 
pation, in which the employment of children under 18 years of age is not already 
forbidden by law, or any particular method of carrying on such trade, process of manu- 
facture, or occupation is sufficiently- dangerous to the lives or limbs or injurious to the 
health or morals of children under 18 years of age to justify their exclusion therefrom. 

No child under 18 years of age shall be employed, permitted, or suffered to work in 
any occupation thus determined to be dangerous or injurious to such children. There 
shall be a right of appeal to the common pleas court from any such determination. 

Sec. 13007-5. No person under 21 years of age shall be emi^loyed, permitted, or 
suffered to work in, about, or in connection with any saloon or barroom where intoxi- 
cating liquors are sold or to handle intoxicating liquors in any way. 

Sec. 13007-6. No female under 21 years of age shall be employed, permitted, or 
suffered to work in or about any (1) mine, (2) quarry, (3) or coal breaker, except in the 
office thereof, (4) or in oiUng or cleaning machinery while in motion. 

Sec. 13007-7. It shall be the duty of factory inspectors, truant officers, and other 
officers charged with the enforcement of laws relating to the employment of minors 
to make complaints against any person violating any of the provisions of this act and 
to prosecute the same. 

This shall not be construed as a limitation upon the right of other persons to make 
and prosecute such complaints. 



120 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

Sec. 13007-8. Any person who with the intent to assist a minor to procure employ- 
ment knowingly makes a false statement regarding the age of such minor either to an 
employer of labor or to an officer authorized to issue age and schooling certificates as 
provided by law, shall be fined not less than $25 nor more than $50. 

Sec. 13007-9. Any person, firm, or corporation, agent or manager of any firm or 
corporation, who, wliether for himself or for such firm or corporation, or by himself, 
or through agents, servants, or foreman, employs any child or girl under the age of 21, 
and whoever having under his control as parent, guardian, custodian, or otherwise 
any child permits or suffers such child or girl to be employed or to work in violation 
of any of the provisions of this chapter shall, for a first offense, be punished by a fine 
of not less than $5 nor more than $50; for a second offense by a fine of not less than $50 
nor more than $200, or by imprisonment for not more than 30 days or by both such 
fine and imprisonment; for a third offense by a fine of not less than $200, or by impris- 
onment for not more than 60 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. 

Sec. 13007-10. Whoever continues to employ any child or girl under 21 in violation 
of any of the provisions of this chapter, after being notified thereof in writing by a 
factory inspector, truant officer, or other officer charged with the enforcement of this 
act, shall, for every day thereafter that such employment continues, be fined not less 
than $5 nor more than $20. 

Sec. 13007-11. Every employer who fails to procure and keep on file employment 
certificates for all children employed under the age of 16 years, or to return the same 
as provided by section 12995 of the General Code, or who fails to keep and post lists 
or the notice, as provided in section 12998 of the General Code, shall be fined not less 
than $25 nor more than $100. 

Sec. 13007-12. Any person, firm, or corporation who (1) hinders or delays any fac- 
tory inspector, truant officer, or any other officer charged with the enforcement of any 
of the provisions of this act in the performance of his or her duties (2) or refuses to 
admit or locks out any such officer from any place which said inspectors or officers are 
authorized to inspect, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than 
$200, or by imprisonment for not less than 10 days nor more than 30 days, or by both 
such fine and imprisonment. 

Sec. 13007-13. Any person authorized to sign any certificate, affidavit, or paper 
called for by this act, who knowingly certifies to any materially false statement therein, 
shall be fined not less than $25 nor more than $100. 

Sec. 13007-14. Any child working in or in connection with any of the establish- 
ments or places or in any of the occupations mentioned in this chapter, who refuses 
to give to the inspector of workshops and factories or other authorized inspector or 
truant officer his or her name, age, and place of residence shall be forthwith conducted 
by the inspector, truant officer, or other officer before the juvenile court or other court 
having jurisdiction in the premises for examination and to be dealt with according 
to law. 

Sec. 13018. When a person is convicted, sentenced, and fined under any provision 
of this subdivision of this chapter, in a workhouse, the county from which he is so 
convicted, sentenced, and confined upon the warrant of the county auditor of such 
county, and out of the general revenue fund thereof, shall pay monthly 60 cents for 
each day he is so confined to the trustee appointed by the court under any of such pro- 
visions, to be expended by such trustees for the maintenance of the child or children 
under 16 years of age, of such person as provided in such provisions. 

Sec. 3. This act shall take effect in the manner provided in section Ic of Article II 
of the constitution of the State of Ohio, except that the amendments of section 1652 
and 2084 shall not take effect until the 1st day of July, 1914. 



ATTENDANCE AND CHILD LABOR IN MASSACHUSETTS, 121 

MASSACHUSETTS. 



[Revised Laws, Chapter 44, as Amended.] 
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

ATTENDANCE COMPULSORY BETWEEN 7 AND 14 YEARS OF AGE AND UNDER 10 IN CERTAIN 

CASES. 

Section 1. Every child between 7 and 14 years of age and every child under 16 
years of age who can not read at sight and write legibly simple sentences in the English 
language shall attend some public day school in the city or town in which he resides dur- 
ing the entire time the public day schools are in session, subject to such exceptions as 
to children, places of attendance, and schools as are provided for in section 3 of chapter 
42 and sections 3, 5, and 6 of this chapter. The superintendent of schools, or if there 
is no superintendent of schools, the school committee, or teachers acting under author- 
ity of said superintendent or committee, may excuse cases of necessary absence. The 
attendance of a child upon a public day school shall not be required if he has attended 
for a like period of time a prh^ate day school approved by the school committee of such 
city or town in accordance with the provisions of the following section, or if he has 
been otherwise instructed for a like period of time in the branches of learning required 
by law to be taught in the public schools, or if he has already acquired such branches 
of learning, or if his physical or mental condition is such as to render such attendance 
inexpedient or impracticable. Every person having under his control a child as 
described in this section, shall cause him to attend school as herein required, and if 
he fails for 5 day sessions or 10 half-day sessions within any period of six months while 
under such control to cause such child, whose physical or metnal condition is not such 
as to render his attendance at school harmful or impracticable, so to attend school, 
he shall, upon complaint by a truant officer and conviction thereof, be punished by a 
fine of not more than |20: Provided, however, That no physical or mental condition 
which is capable of correction, or which renders the child a fit subject for special 
instruction at public charge in institutions other than the public day schools, shall 
avail as a defense under the provisions of this section unless it shall be made to appear 
that the defendant has employed all reasonable measures for the correction of the 
condition or the suitable instruction of the child. Whoever induces or attempts to 
induce a child to absent himself unlawfully from school, or employs or harbors a child 
who, while school is in session, is absent unlawfully from school shall be punished by 
a fine of not more than $50. 

WHEN private SCHOOLS MAY BE APPROVED. 

Sec. 2. For the purposes of the preceding section school committees shall approve 
a private school only when the instruction in all the studies required by law is in the 
English language, and when they are satisfied that such instruction equals in thor- 
oughness and efficiency and in the progress made therein the instruction in the public 
schools in the same city or town; but they shall not refuse to approve a private school 
on account of the religious teaching therein. 

[Revised Laws, Chapter 46.] 

TRUANTS AND TRUANT SCHOOLS. 

COUNTY TRUANT SCHOOLS.^ 

Section 1. The county commissioners of each county, except the counties of 
Barnstable, Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Dukes, and Nantucket, shall maintain 
either separately or jointly with the commissioners of other counties as hereinafter 

1 Name changed to County Training Schools. 



122 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

provided, in a suitable place, not at or near a penal institution, a truant school 
for the instruction and training of children committed thereto as habitual truants, 
absentees, or school offenders. The county commissioners of two or more counties 
may, at the expense of said counties, establish and maintain a union truant school 
which shall be organized and controlled by the chairmen of the county commissioners 
of said counties. The chairmen of the respective boards of county commissioners of 
the counties of Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth, having the management of the Norfolk, 
Bristol, and Plymouth union truant school, shall each be paid the sum of $100 annually 
by said counties, respectively. The county commissioners of the counties of Barn- 
stable, Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Dukes, and Nantucket shall assign a truant 
school established by law as the place for the instruction and training of children 
committed within their respective counties as habitual truants, absentees, or school 
offenders, and shall pay for their support in said school such reasonable sum as the 
county commissioners having control of said school may determine. For the pur- 
poses of this chapter the parental school of the city of Boston shall be deemed the 
county truant school of the county of Suffolk, and commitments from the towns of 
Revere and Winthrop and the city of Chelsea shall be to the truant school for the county 
of Middlesex. The city or town from which an habitual truant, absentee, or school 
offender is committed to a county truant school shall pay to the county within which it 
is located $1 a week toward his support; but the towns of Revere and Winthrop and 
the city of Chelsea shall pay to the county of Middlesex, for the support of each child 
committed to the truant school of said county, $2.50 a week, and such additional sums 
for each child as shall cover the actual cost of maintenance. 

VISITATION BY STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND BY THE STATE BOARD OP CHARITY. 

Sec. 2. County truant schools shall be subject to visitation by the board of 
education and by the State board of charity, and said boards shall report thereon 
annually to the general court. 

HABITUAL TRUANTS. 

Sec. 3. A child between 7 and 14 years of age who willfully and habitually absents 
himself from school contrary to the provisions of section 1 of chapter 44 shall be deemed 
to be an habitual truant, and unless placed on probation as provided in section 7 of 
this chapter, may, upon complaint by a truant officer and conviction thereof, if a boy, 
be committed to a county truant school, and, if a girl, to the State industrial school for 
girls; but if the girl is under 12 years of age she shall be committed to the custody of 
the State board of charity, if they so request, for not more than two years. 

HABITUAL absentees. 

Sec. 4. A child between 7 and 16 years of age who may be found wandering about 
in the streets or public places of any city or town, having no lawful occupation, 
habitually not attending school, and growing up in idleness and ignorance, shall be 
deemed to be an habitual absentee, and, unless placed on probation as provided in 
section 7, may, upon complaint by a truant officer or any other person and conviction 
thereof, if a boy, be committed to a county truant school, or to the Lyman school for 
boys, and, if a girl, to the State industrial school for girls; but if the girl be under 12 
years of age she shall be committed to the custody of the State board of charity, if they 
so request, for not more than two years. 

HABITUAL SCHOOL OFFENDERS. 

Sec. 5. A child under 14 years of age who persistently violates the reasonable regula- 
tions of the school which he attends, or otherwise persistently misbehaves therein, so 
as to render himself a fit subject for exclusion therefrom, shall be deemed to be an 
habitual school offender, and, unless placed on probation as provided in section 7, 
may, upon complaint by a truant officer and conviction thereof, if a boy, be committed 



ATTENDANCE AND CHILD LABOE IN MASSACHUSETTS. 123 

to a county truant school, or to the Lyman school for boys, and, if a girl, to the State 
industrial school for girls; but if the girl be under 12 years of age she shall be com- 
mitted to the custody of the State board of charity, if they so request, for not more than 
two years. 

SUPPORT OF INMATES OF TRUANT SCHOOLS. 

Sec. 6. The court or magistrate by whom a child has been committed to a county 
truant school may make an order relative to the payment by his parents to the county 
of the cost of his support while in said school, and may from time to time revise and 
alter such order or make a new order as the circumstances of the parents may justify. 

TRUANTS ON PROBATION. 

Sec. 7. A court or magistrate by whom a child has been convicted of an offense under 
the provisions of this chapter may place such a child on probation under the oversight 
of a truant officer of the city or town in which the child resides, or of a probation officer 
of said court, for such period and upon such conditions as said court or magistrate may 
deem best; and if, within such period, the child violates the conditions of his proba- 
tion, such truant officer or probation officer may, without warrant or other process, 
take the child before the court, and the court may thereupon sentence him or may 
make any other lawful disposition of the case. 

PERMITS TO BE AT LIBERTY; ALSO RELEASES. 

Sec. 8. County commissioners, if they think it will be for the best interest of any 
child who has been committed to a county truant school under their control, after 
notice and an opportunity to be heard has been given to the superintendent of schools 
or, if there is no superintendent, to the school committee of the city or town from which 
such child was committed to said school, may permit him to be at liberty upon such 
conditions as said commissioners may deem best; or, with the approval of the court 
which imposed the sentence, they may discharge him from said school; and upon such 
parole or discharge they shall make an entry upon their records of the name of such 
child, the date of parole or discharge and the reason therefor; and a copy of such record 
shall be transmitted to the court or magistrate by whom such child was committed and 
to the school committee of the city or town from which he was committed. If such 
child, in the opinion of said commissioners, violates the conditions of Ms parole at any 
time previous to the expiration of the term for which he was committed to said school, 
such parole may be revoked. If a superintendent of schools or a school committee 
furnishes evidence satisfactory to said commissioners of the violation by a child of the 
conditions of liis parole, said commissioners shall revoke such parole, and may there- 
upon issue an order directed to the truant or police officers of any city or town to arrest 
such child wherever found and return him to said school. Such officer shall arrest 
such child and return him to said school, where he shall be held, subject to the provi- 
sions of this chapter, for the residue of the term of the original sentence. The expense 
of such arrest and return, so far as approved by the commissioners, shall be paid by the 
county or counties maintaining said school. A child who has been committed to 
a county truant school, whether he be confined at the county truant school or on parole 
as provided in this section, shall be discharged from the custody and care of such school 
upon his becoming 16 years of age. Releases from the parental school of the city of 
Boston shall be governed by the provisions of chapter 514 of the acts of the year 1896, 
and shall be made by the trustees for children, who shall have and exercise the powers 
given by said chapter to the institutions commissioner of said city. 

TEMPORARY RELEASE FROM TRUANT SCHOOL. 

Sec 9. If a near relation of a child who is confined on a sentence as an habitual 
truant, habitual absentee, or habitual school offender dies or is seriously ill, any 
member of the board of trustees or county commissioners having charge of the insti- 



124 COMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

tution may order such child to be released for a specified time, either with or without 
the custody of the superintendent or other officer, and may revoke, extend, or other- 
wise modify such order. The expenses incurred in serving such order shall be 
approved and paid in the same manner as other expenses of the institution in which 
the child is confined. 

DISPOSITION OF VICIOUS INMATES. 

Sec. 10. An inmate of a county truant school or of the parental school of the city 
of Boston who persistently violates the reasonable regulations thereof,, or is guilty of 
indecent or immoral conduct, or otherwise grossly misbehaves, so as to render him- 
self an unfit subject for retention therein, may, upon complaint by the officer in 
control of said school and conviction thereof, if under 15 years of age, be committed 
to the Lyman School for Boys; if over 15 years of age, to the Massachusetts Reformatory. 
If a girl who is committed to the custody of the State board of charity under section 
3, 4, or 5 of this chapter proves unmanageable in a private family, she may be com- 
mitted by the State board of charity to the State industrial school for girls. 

SUMMONSES, WARRANTS, JURISDICTION. 

Sec. 11. Police, district, and municipal courts and trial justices shall have juris- 
diction of offenses arising under the provisions of section 1 of chapter 44 and under 
the provisions of this chapter. A summons or warrant issued by such court or justice 
may be served, at the discretion of the court or magistrate, by a truant officer or by 
any officer qualified to serve criminal process. Upon complaint against a child for 
any such offense the parents, guardian, or custodian of the child shall be notified as 
is required by section 17 of chapter 86.^ A child against whom complaint as a 
habitual absentee is brought by any other person than a truant officer shall not be 
committed until notice and an opportunity to be heard have been given to the State 
board of charity. 

TRUANT OFFICERS. 

Sec. 12. The school committee of every city and town shall appoint and fix the 
compensation of one or more truant officers, who may be either male or female as the 
committee may decide, and shall make regulations for their government. Truant 
officers shall not receive fees for their services. The school committee of two or more 
cities or towns may employ the same truant officers. 

duties OF TRUANT OFFICERS. 

Sec. 13. Truant officers shall inquire into all cases arising under the provisions of 
sections 1 and 6 of chapter 44 and sections 3, 4, and 5 of this chapter, and may make 
complaints and servo legal processes issued under the provisions of this chapter. 
They shall have the oversight of children placed on probation under the provisions 
of section 7. A truant officer may apprehend and take to school, without a varrant, 
any truant or absentee found wandering about in the streets or public places thereof. 

commitment of habitual truants, habitual absentees, and habitual school 

offenders. 

Chapter 389, acts of 1906, provides as follows: 

Section 1. Habitual truants, habitual absentees, and habitual school offenders 
shall be committed to truant schools, however named, for the instruction and training 
of children, and now provided for by the several counties, and not to any other insti- 
tution or place. 

Sec. 2. This act shall not apply to the Plummer Farm School of Reform for Boys, 
at Winter Island, in Salem. 

1 Of the Revised Laws. See also chapter 314, section 4, acts of 1906. 



ATTENDANCE AND CHILD LABOR IN MASSACHUSETTS. 125 

EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN. 
[Chapter 514, Acts of 1909, as amended.] 

GENERAL PROVISIONS. 

Sec. 17. The following words and phrases, as used in all laws relative to the employ- 
ment of labor shall, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, have 
the following meanings: 

" Child " or " minor ' ' shall mean a person under 18 years of age, except that in regard 
to the compulsory attendance of illiterate minors at day or evening schools, the word 
"minor" shall mean a person under the age of 21 years. 

" Factory" shall qiean any premises where steam, water, or other mechanical power 
is used in aid of any manufacturing process there carried on. 

"Mercantile establishments" shall mean any premises used for the purposes of 
trade in the purchase or sale of any goods or merchandise, and any premises used for 
the purposes of a restaurant or for publicly providing and serving meals. 

"Public building" shall mean any building or premises used as a public or private 
institution, church, theater, public hall, place of public entertainment, resort, or 
assemblage. 

"Schoolhouse" shall mean any building or premises in which public or private 
instruction is afforded to not less than 10 pupils at one time. 

"Workshop" shall mean any premises, room, or place, which is not a factory as 
above defined, wherein manual labor is exercised by way of trade or for purposes of 
gain in or incidental to a process of making, altering, repairing, ornamenting, finishing, 
or adapting for sale any article or part of an article, and to which or over which premises, 
room, or place the employer of the persons working therein has the right of access or 
control; but the exercise of such manual labor in a private house or private room by the 
family dwelling therein or by any of them or if a majority of the persons therein em- 
ployed are members of sucL family, shall not of itself constitute such house or room a 
workshop within this definition. 

WHEN CHILDREN UNDER 14 AND CHILDREN OVER 14 AND UNDER 16 MAY NOT BE 

EMPLOYED. 

Sec. 56. No child under the age of 14 years, and no child who is over 14 and under 
16 years of age who does not have a certificate as required by the four following sections 
certifying to the cliild's ability to read at sight and to write legibly simple sentences 
in the EngUsh language, shall be employed in any factory, workshop, or mercantile 
establishment. The a])ility to read at sight and to write legibly simple sentences in 
the English language shall be construed as meaning such ability to read and write as 
is required for admission to the fourth grade of the public schools of the city or town 
in which such minor lives. No child under the age of 14 years shall be employed at 
work performed for wages or other compensation, to whomsoever payable, during the 
hours when the public schools of the city or town in which he resides are in session, 
or be employed at work before 6 o'clock in the morning or after 7 o'clock in the evening. 
But minors to whom the provisions of this section apply shall be permitted to work on 
Saturdays between the hours of 6 in the morning and 7 in the evening in mercantile 
establishments. 

PROVISIONS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OP CHILDREN UNDER 16 AND MINORS. 

Sec. 57. No child under 16 years of age shall be employed in a factory, workshop, 
or mercantile establishment unless his employer procures and keeps on file, accessible 
to the tniant officers of the city or town, and to the district police and inspectors of 
factories and public buildings, an age and schooling certificate and keeps two com- 
plete lists of all such minors employed therein, one on file, and one conspicuously 
posted near the principal entrance of the building in which such diildren are em- 



126 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

ployed, and also keeps on file and sends to the superintendent of schools, or, if there 
is no superintendent, to the school committee, a complete list of the names of all 
minors employed therein who can not read at sight and write legibly simple sentences 
in the English language. 

AGE AND SCHOOLING CERTIFICATES OP MINORS. 

Sec. 58. An age and schooling certificate shall be approved only by the superintend- 
ent of schools or by a person authorized by him in writing, or, if there is no super- 
intendent of schools, by a person authorized by the school committee; but no member 
of a school committee or other person authorized as aforesaid shall approve such 
certificate for any minor then in or about to enter his own employment or the employ- 
ment of a firm or corporation of which he is a member, officer, or employee. The 
printed form of such age and schooling certificate shall be provided by the chief of 
the district police. No such certificate shall be approved by any person unless he is 
satisfied that the minor therein named is able to read at sight and to write legibly sim- 
ple sentences in the English language, as is required for admission to the fourth grade 
of the public schools of the city or town in which such minor lives, nor until such person 
has received a certificate signed by a physician, as provided in chapter 502 of the act 
of the year 1906 and acts passed in amendment thereof, or by a physician appointed 
by the school committee, stating that said minor has been examined by him and in his 
opinion is in sufficiently sound health and physically able to perform the work, which 
the minor intends to do: Provided, however, That the age and schooling certificate may 
be approved and issued without a physician's certificate if there shall be on file in 
connection with the public schools a written record in regard to the child's physical 
condition made within one year and the person authorized to approve said age and 
schooling certificate after having examined such record shall certify that in his opinion 
said minor is in sufficiently sound health and physically able to perform the work 
which the minor intends to do. The person who approves the certificate may ad- 
minister the oath provided for therein, but no fee shall be charged therefor. 

Sec. 59. An age or schooling certificate shall not be approved unless satisfactory 
evidence is furnished by a certificate of birth or baptism of such minor, or by the 
register of birth of such minor with a city or town clerk, that such minor is of the age 
stated in the certificate, except that other evidence, under oath, may be accepted in 
the case the superintendent or person authorized by the school committee, as provided 
in the preceding section, decides that neither the certificate of birth or baptism, nor 
the register of birth is available for the purpose. The certificate of the superintendent 
of the Lyman School for Boys or of the State industrial school for girls given to a child 
who has been an inmate of such school, shall be sufficient evidence as to the age and 
ability to read at sight and to write legibly simple sentences in the English language. 

EMPLOYMENT TICKET AND AGE AND SCHOOLING CERTIFICATE. 

Sec. 60. The age and schooling certificate of a minor under 16 years of age shall not 
be approved and signed until he presents to the person who is authorized to approve 
and sign it an employment ticket duly filled out and signed. A duplicate of each age 
and schooling certificate shall be filled out and shall be kept on file by the school 
committee. Any explanatory matter may, in the discretion of the school committee 
or superintendent of schools, be printed with such certificate. The employment 
ticket and the age and schooling certificate, shall be separately printed and shall be 
filled out, signed, and held or surrendered as indicated in the following forms: 

Employment Ticket, St. 1909, c. , § 

When [name of minor] , height [feet and inches] , complexion [fair or 

dark] , hair [color] , presents an age and schooling certificate duly signed, 

I intend to employ [him or her]. 

(Signature of intending employer or agent.) 

(Town or city and date.) 



ATTENDANCE AND CHILD LABOR IN MASSAC fEUSETTS. 127 

vVge and Schooling Oertifioatp;, St. 1909, e. , § 

This certifies that I am the [father, mother, guardian, or custodian] of [name of 
minor] , and tliat [he or she] was born at [name of city or town] , in the 

county of [name of county, if known] , and State [or country] of . on the 

[day and year of birth] , and is now [number of years and months] old. 

(Signature of father, mother, guardian, or custodian.) 
(City or town and date.) 

Then personally appeared before me the above named [name of person signing] , 

and made oath that the foregoing certificate by [him or her] signed is true to the best of 
Piis or herj knowledge and beUef. I hereby approve the foregoing certificate of 
[name of minor] , height [feet and inches] , complexion[fair or dark] , 

hair [color] , having no sufficient reason to doubt that [he or she] is of the age 

therein certified. I hereby certify and am satisfied that [lie or she] can read at sight 
and can write legibly simple sentences in the English language. I further certify 
that in my opinion (or in the opinion of the physician by whom said minor has 

been examined in accordance with section 58 of the above chapter) he (or she) is in 
sufficiently sound health and physically able to perform the work which he (or she) 
intends to do. 

This certificate belongs to [name of minor in whose behalf it is drawn] , and is 

to be surrendered to [him or her] whenever [he or she] leaves the service of the cor- 
poration or employer holding the same; but if not claimed by said minor within 80 
days after such time, it shall be returned to the superintendent of schools, or, if there 
is no superintendent of schools, to the school committee. 

(Signature of person authorized to approve and sign with ofSeial character or authority.) 

(City or town and date.) 

In the case of a minor who can not read at sight and write legibly simple sentences 
in the English language the certificate shall continue as follows, after the word 
"language": 

I hereby certify that [he or she] is regularly attending the [name] public 

evening school. This certificate shall continue in force only so long as the regular 
attendance of said minor at the evening school is indorsed weekly by a teacher 
thereof. 

PENALTY FOR CERTIFYING TO FALSE STATEMENT. 

■^Tioever, being authorized to sign the foregoing certificate, knowingly certifies to 
any materially false statement therein shall be punished by a fine of not more than $50. 

ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS AND DUTIES OF TRUANT OFFICERS. 

Sec. 61. Whoever employs a minor under the age of 16 years, and whoever pro- 
cures or, having under his control a minor under such age, permits such minor to be 
employed in violation of the provisions of sections 56 and 57 of this act, shall for 
each offense be punished by a fine of not more than $300, or by imprisonment for 
not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment; and whoever con- 
tinues to employ a minor in violation of the provisions of either of said sections, after 
being notified thereof by a truant officer or by an inspector of factories and public 
buildings, shall for every day thereafter while such employment continues be pun- 
ished by a fine of not less than $20 nor more than $100, or by imprisonment for not 
more than six months; and whoever forges, or procures to be forged, or assists in forg- 
ing a certificate of birth of such minor, and whoever presents or assists in presenting 
a forged certificate of birth to a school committee or to the person authorized by law 
to receive certificates, for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining the school certificate 
mentioned in section 60, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 nor more 
than $500, or by imprisonment for not less than three months nor more than one year, 
or by both such fine and imprisonment. 

Sec. 62. Truant officers may visit the factories, workshops, and mercantile estab- 
lishments in their several cities and towns and ascertain whether any minors are 
employed therein contrary to the provisions of this act, and shall report any cases 
of such illegal employment to the school committee and to the chief of the district 



128 COMPULSOEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

police or to the inspector of factories and public buildings. Inspectors of factories 
and public buildings shall visit all factories, worksbops, and mercantile establish- 
ments within their respective districts and ascertain whether any minors are employed 
therein contrary to the provisions of this act, and shall enter complaint against who- 
ever is found to have violated any of said provisions. An inspector of factories and 
public buildings who knowingly and willfully violates any provision of this section 
may be punished by a fine of not more than $100. 

Sec. 63. A truant officer may apprehend and take to school, without a warrant, 
any minor under the age of 16 years who is employed in any factory, workshop, or 
mercantile establishment in violation of the provisions of sections 56 and 57 of this 
act, and such truant officer shall forthwith report to the police, district, or municipal 
court or trial justice within whose judicial district the illegal employment occurs, 
the evidence in his possession relating to the illegal employment of any child so appre- 
hended, and shall make complaint against whomever the court or trial justice may 
direct. A truant officer who knowingly and willfully violates any provision of this 
section may be punished by a fine of not more than |100 for each offense. 

TRUANT OFFICERS AND INSPECTORS OP FACTORIES. 

Sec. 64. Inspectors of factories and public buildings and truant officers may require 
that the age and schooling certificates and lists of minors who are employed in factories, 
workshops, or mercantile establishments shall be produced for their inspection. A 
failure to produce to an inspector of factories and public buildings or to a truant 
officer an age and schooling certificate or list required by law shall be prima facie 
evidence of the illegal employment of any person whose age and schooling certificate 
is not produced or whose name is not so listed. A corporation or other employer 
or any agent or officer thereof who retains an age and schooling certificate in violation 
of the provisions of said certificate shall be punished by a fine of not less than $10 nor 
more than $100. 

Sec. 65. Police, district, and municipal courts and trial justices shall have juris- 
diction of offenses arising under the provisions of the four preceding sections. A 
summons or warrant issued by any such court or justice may be served, at the discre- 
tion of the court or magistrate, by an inspector of factories and public buildings, or 
by a truant officer, or by any officer qualified to serve criminal process. 

ILLITERATE MINORS MUST ATTEND EVENING SCHOOLS. 

Sec. 66. While a public evening school is maintained in the city or town in which 
any minor ^ resides who is over 14 years of age and who does not have a certificate 
signed by the superintendent of schools, or by the school committee, or by some per- 
son acting under authority thereof, certifying to his ability to read at sight and write 
legibly simple sentences in the English language, no person shall employ him, and 
no parent, guardian, or custodian shall permit him to be employed unless he is a 
regular attendant at such evening school or at a day school; but upon presentation 
by him of a certificate signed by a registered practising physician and satisfactory 
to the superintendent of schools, or, if there is no such superintendent, to the school 
committee, showing that his physical condition would render such attendance in 
addition to daily labor prejudicial to his health, said superintendent or school com- 
mittee shall issue a permit authorizing his employment for such period as said super- 
intendent or school committee may determine. Said superintendent or school com- 
mittee, or teachers acting under authority thereof, may excuse any absence from such 
evening school which arises from justifiable cause. Any minor not holding such 

1 For law relating to minors over 14 and under 16 years of age see sec. 1, as amended, chap. 44, R. L., 
p. 121 of this pamphlet, and sec. 56, chap. 514, acts of 1909, p. 125, of this pamphlet. 



ATTENDANCE AND CHILD LABOR IN MASSACHUSETTS. 129 

certificate shall furnish to his employer a record of his school attendance each week 
while the evening school is in session, and when said record shows unexcused absences 
from the sessions his attendance shall be deemed irregular according to this act. 
Whoever employs a minor in violation of the provisions of this section shall forfeit 
not more than $100 for each offense to the use of the evening schools of such city or 
town. A parent, guardian, or custodian who permits a minor under hia control to be 
employed in violation of the provisions of this section shall forfeit not more than 
$20 to the use of the evening schools of such city or town. 

PUBLIC EXHIBITION OF CHILDREN. 

Sec. 76. No person shall employ, exhibit, or sell, apprentice, or give away a child 
under 15 years of age for the j^urpose of employing or exhibiting him in dancing on 
the stage, playing on musical instruments, singing, walking on a wire or rope, or 
riding or performing as a gymnast, contortionist, or acrobat in a circus, theatrical 
exhibition, or in any public place, or cause, procure, or encourage such child to engage 
therein; but the provisions of this section shall not prevent the education of children 
in vocal and instrumental music or dancing or their employment as musicians in 
a church, chapel, school, or school exhibition, or prevent their taking part in any 
festival, concert, or musical exhibition upon the special written permission of the 
mayor and aldermen of a city or of the selectmen of a town. Whoever violates the 
provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $200 or by 
imprisonment for not more than six months. 

Sec. 77. A license shall not be granted for a theatrical exhibition or public show 
in which children under 15 years of age are employed as acrobats or contortionists or 
in any feats of gymnastics or equestrianism, or in which such children who belong to 
the public schools are employed or allowed to take part as performers on the stage 
in any capacity, or if, in the opinion of the board authorized to grant licenses, such 
children are employed in such a manner as to corrupt their morals or impair their 
health; but the provisions of this section shall not prevent the granting of special 
permission authorized by the preceding section. 

LICENSING OP MINORS, BY SCHOOL COMMITTEES, TO ENGAGE IN CERTAIN OCCUPATIONS 

IN CITIES. 

Section 17, chapter 65, Revised Laws. The mayor and aldermen or selectmen may 
make regulations relative to'tlie exercise of the trade of bootblacldng by minors and to 
the sale by minors of any goods, wares, or merchandise the sale of which is permitted 
by section 15, and may prohibit such sales or such trade, or may require a minor to 
obtain from them a license therefor to be issued on terms and conditions prescril-ed in 
such regulations: Provided, That in the case of persons under the age of 14 years in the 
cities of the Commonwealtli the foregoing powers shall be vested in and exercised by 
the school committees of said cities. A minor who sells such articles or exercises sucli 
trade without a license if one is required or who violates the conditions of his license or 
any of the provisions of said regulations shall be punished by a fine of not more than 
|10 for each offense. Any person who, having a minor under his control, knowingly 
permits him to \T.o]ate the provisions of this act, and any pei'son who procures or 
employs a minor to violate the provisions of tliis act, and any person who either for 
himself or as agent of any other person or of any corporation kno-\vinglj^ furnishes or 
sells to any minor any of the articles above referred to witli knowledge that said minor 
intends to sell said articles in violation of the provisions of tliis act, and after haAdng 
received written notice from the school committee that the minor is unlicensed, shall be 
punished by a fine of not more than ^200 or by imprisonment for not more than six 
months. Truant and police officers shall enforce the provisions of this chapter. 
14426°— 14 9 



130 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

EMPLOYMENT OF CERTAIN MINORS IN FACTORIES, WORKSHOPS, AND MERCANTILE ESTAB- 
LISHMENTS. 

Chapter 310, Acts of 1911, provides as follows: 

Section 1. No illiterate minor between the age of 16 and 21 years shall be employed 
in a factory, workshop, mechanical or mercantile establishment unless his employer 
procm'es and keeps on file, accessible to the truant ofl&cers of the city or town and to the 
district police and inspectors of factories and public buildings, a certificate showing 
that such minor is 16 years of age or over. Said certificate shall give the place and 
date of birth of such minor and his personal description. The printed form of the 
certificate shall be provided by the cliief of the district police and shall be approved by 
the attorney general. 

ADDITIONAL DUTIES OP TRUANT OFFICERS RELATIVE TO CARE OF INDIGENT AND NEG- 
LECTED CHILDREN. 

Chapter 356, Acts of 1904, provides as follows: 

Section 1. It shall be the duty of truant officers in cities and of the overseers of the 
poor in towns, as often as may be deemed necessary by them, to make diligent search 
throughout their respective cities and towns for children under the age of 16 who are 
suffering want through poverty, privation, or from the neglect of their parents or 
guardians, or of any other persons having them in charge or from any cause whatsoever. 

Sec. 2. Wliere such cliildren are found without parents or guardians or in charge of 
such parents or guardians as in the judgment of the officers or overseers aforesaid are 
unfit to care for children by reason of mental incapacity, dissolute habits, or poverty, 
it shall be the duty of the officers and overseers aforesaid to provide for the temporary 
care of sucb children until proceedings may be had against them if necessary, according 
to the provisions of chapter 334 of the acts of the year 1903. 

Sec. 3. Reasonable expenses incurred by the officers and overseers aforesaid in 
furnishing aid as provided by this act shall be paid by the city or town wherein the 
persons have legal settlements, and, if they are without settlement, by the Common- 
wealth, after approval by the State board of charity; and notice in writing shall be sent 
to the place of settlement or, if such persons are unsettled, to the State board of charity 
as is otherwise provided by law. 



VI.— BIBLIOGRAPHY OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION IN 
THE UNITED STATES. 



Anthony, John W. Compulsory education in Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania state 
educational association. Department of city and borough superintendents. 
Proceedings, 1910. p. 11-18. 
Also in Pennsylvania school journal, 58: 481-88, May 1910. 

Baldwin, Benjamin J., and others. Compulsory education in the South. In Con- 
ference for education in the South. Proceedings, 1908. Nashville, Tenn., 
Published by the Executive committee (1908) p. 147-77. 

Belts, L. W. Burden bearers of progress. Outlook, 88: 94-96, January 11, 1908. 

Bodine, W.L. Throwing the burden of truancy on the parent. Charities, 17: 535-36, 
December 22, 1906. 

Boone, Richard G. Compulsory school attendance. In his Education in the United 
States . . . New York, D. Appleton and company, 1890. p. 326-31. 
Bibliography: p. 330-31. 

Brace, C. L. Cure for truancy. Charities, 15: 699-701, February 17, 1906. 

Brasher, M. N. How best to enforce the compulsory education laws. New Mexico 
journal of education, 6:- 32-35, February 15, 1910. 

Burchard, H. Compulsory education and compulsory military training. Nineteenth 
century, 56: 20-27, June 1904. 

Burks, Jesse D. IV. The compulsory attendance service. In New York city. 
Committee on school inquiry of the board of estimate and apportionment. 
Interim report: Educational aspects of the public school system. New York, 
1911-12. p. 5-75. (Part II. Subdiv. 1. Elementary schools. Sec. F.— 
Problems in elementary school organization) 

Compulsory education. Western journal of education, 8: 174—80, April 1903. 

Connecticut. Board of education. Compulsory attendance. In Report, 1911. 
Hartford, Published by the state, 1911. p. 111-16. (Public document no. 8) 

Cook, W. A. A brief survey of the development of compulsory education in the 
United States. Elementary school teacher, 12: 331-35, March 1912. 

Cooper, Oscar H. Compulsory laws and their enforcement . . . Syracuse, N. Y., 
C. W. Bardeen, 1890. 6 p. 8°. (Papers on school issues of the day, 12) 

Dorr, R. C. New method of handling school truants. Hampton, 26: 77-78, Jan- 
uary 1911. 

Dutton, Samuel Train, and Snedden, David. Compulsory education and child labor 
legislation. In their The Administration of public education in the United 
States. New York, The Macmillan company, 1908. (new ed., 1912) p. 492-510. 
Bibliography: p. 509-10. 

Elliff, J. D. Report on the enforcement of the compulsory attendance law. In 
Missouri state teachers' association. Proceedings and addresses, 1909. Fulton, 
Mo., Gazette publishing co., 1910. p. 54-58. 

Giddings, F. H. Compulsory education and child labor; the social and legal aspect. 
In National education association. Journal of proceedings and addresses, 1905. 
p. 111-13. 

Griffin, Joseph T. Causes of truancy. In New York city. Superintendent of 
schools. Report, 1912. p. 245. 

Groszmann, Maximilian P. E. Legal jjrovision for exceptional children. In Na- 
tional education association. Journal of proceedings and addresses, 1911. 
p. 1070-77. 

131 



132 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

Hall, Bert. Truancy: a few causes and a few cures. In National education associa- 
tion. Journal of proceedings and addresses, 1909. p. 217-22. 

Hallock, Henry Galloway. Compulsory education; do we need it? Princeton, 
N. J., Princeton university press, 1896. 

Hand, W. H. The need of compulsory education in the South. In Conference for 
education in the South. Proceedings, 1912. p. 55-70. 

• Some arguments for compulsory education. In Conference for education in 

the South. Proceedings, 1905. [Columbia, S. C, Presses of the state com- 
pany] 1905. p. 77-83. 
Statistics of illiteracy, p. 78-81. 

Haney, John Dearling. Digest of the compulsory education laws of the several states. 
In his Registration of city school children. New York city. Teachers' college, 
Columbia university, 1910. p. 51-55. (Teachers' college, Columbia uni- 
versity. Contributions to education, no. 30) 

Hanus, Paul H. The compulsory attendance service. In New York city. Com- 
mittee on school inquiry . . . Excerpt from the Report as a whole. New 
York, 1911-12. p. iii, v. 

Harris, William T. Compulsory attendance. In his Elementary education. New 
York [etc.] American book company [1910] p. 21-24. (Education in the 
United States, ed. by N. M. Butler. Monograph 3) 

■ — ■ Compulsory education in relation to crime and social morals. InV. S. Bureau 

of education. Report of the Commissioner for the year 1898-99. v. 2. p. 
1311-18. 

Hays, J. G. Compulsory education law with some adverse criticism. Pennsylvania 
school journal, 54: 397-403, March 1906. 

Hervey, Henry D. Compulsory education and the child labor laws. Is additional 
legislation needed? American education, 15: 256-60, February 1912. 

Hiser, P. N. Compulsory education in relation to the charity problem. In Con- 
ference of charities and corrections, 1900. p. 277-85. 

Jacobs, Q. T. How enforce the attendance law in rural communities. Ohio teacher, 
29: 540-42, July 1909. 

Kelley, Florence M. Laws for the children's welfare. In National education asso- 
ciation. Journal of proceedings and addresses, 1908. p. 1222-28. 

Kennedy, J. B. Compulsory education. Elementary school teacher 13: 315-56, 
March 1913. 

' ■ — Does South Carolina need a compulsory school system? Charities, 21: 961-64. 

Lord, Everett W. Child labor and public schools. New York, 1900. 16 p. (Pub- 
lications of the National child labor committee) 

Lovejoy, Owen R. The function of education in abolishing child labor. In National 
child labor committee. Proceedings, 1908. New York, 1908. p. 80-91. 

McCall, Charles A. Compulsory education laws. School exchange, 3: 50-65, Octo- 
ber 1908. 

Mark, Edgar N. Compulsory school attendance. In Southern educational asso- 
ciation. Journal of proceedings and addresses, 1907. p. 97-108. 
Also in Southern educational review, 5: 119-30, June-July 1908. 

Martin, G. H. Compulsory education and child labor; the school aspect. In Na- 
tional education association. Journal of proceedings and addresses, 1905. 
p. 103-11. 
Massachusetts. Board of education. Report, upon the feasibility of, and desira- 
bility of increasing the age of compulsory school attendance, in accordance with 
a Resolve of the Legislatwe of 1904. In its Annual report, 1903-1904. Boston, 
Wright and Potter printing co., 1905. p. 365-74. 
Mengel, Mrs. Herbert W. Compulsory school attendance in the South. In National 
education association . Journal of proceedings and addresses, 1908 . p . 1229-31 . 



BIBLIOGKAPHY. 133 

Milton, George F. Compulsory education. In National child labor committee. 
Proceedings, 1908. New York, 1908. p. 57-66. 

Compulsory education and the Southern states. [Sewanee, 1908] 19 p. 8°. 

Reprinted from the Sewanee review for January 1908. 

Money, G. M. Enforced attendance for country schools. In Kentucky educational 

association. Proceedings, 1909. p. 208-12. 
Moore, Ernest Carroll. Compulsory education. Report to the Council of education 

on the need for a compulsory education law in California. Western journal of 

education, 8: 65-77, February 1903. 
— ■ Effect of compulsory education on the poor. Western journal of education, 

7: 339-i5, June 1902. 
National child labor committee. Child labor laws in all states. Summary. Child 

labor bulletin, vol. 1, no. 2, August 1912. p. 1-77. 
Includes education provisions. 

New York city. Education dept. Organizing the work of attendance officers. In 
14th annual report of the city superintendent of schools, July 31, 1912. p. 
254-56. 

New York (State) Education dept. A summary of the compulsory attendance and 
child labor laws of the states and territories of the United States, comp. by 
James D. Sullivan. Albany, New York (State) Education department, 1907. 
112 p. 8°. {lis Bulletin 406) 

New York's parental school. Harpers weekly, 54: 13, June 18, 1910. 

Nudd, Howard W. A description of the Bureau of compulsory education of the city 
of Philadelphia, showing how its organization and administration bear upon 
the problems of compulsory education in the city of New York. New York, 
Public education association of the city of New York, 1913. 62 p. 8°. 

How New York registers its children. Survey, 27 : 1777-80, February 17, 1912. 

Ohio. Supreme court. Compulsory education in Ohio. Patrick F. Quigley vs. 
the state of Ohio. Brief for defendant in error. Columbus, O., The Westbote 
CO., state printer [1892?] 78 p. 8°. (Cover-title) 

Palmer, L. E. New York's truancy problem. Charities, 15: 557-61, January 27, 
1906. 

Parker, L. W. Compulsory education the solution of the child labor problem. 
Annals of the American academy of political and social science, 32: sup. 57-66, 
July 1908. 

Payne, Bruce P. Educational waste. Atlantic educational journal, 2: 7-9, 13, 
June 1907. 

Perrin, John W. Beginnings in compulsory education. Educational review, 25: 
240-18, March 1903. 

Compulsory education in New England, 1850-90. Journal of pedagogy, 17: 

261-76, June 1905. 

The history of compulsory education in New England. Meadville, Pa., 1896. 

71 p. 8°. ' 

Indirect compulsory education — the factory laws of Massachusetts and Con- 
necticut. Educational review, 31: 383-94, April 1906. 

Rothert, Henry W. Compulsory education and its relations to the defective classes. 
Council Bluffs, Iowa school for the deaf press, 1904. 14 p. 12°. 

Scott, Laura. Summary of laws in force 1910; child labor . . . prepared under the 
direction of John R. Commons. New York, 1910. 139 p. 8°. (American 
association for labor legislation. Legislative review, no. 5) 

Shaw, William B. Compulsory education in the United States. Educational re- 
view, 3: 444-49, May 1892; 4: 47-52, 129^1, June, September 1892. 

Shoop, J. D. Home and truancy. In his Child in the city. p. 169-71 . 



134 COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. 

Sirakins, J. D. Compulsory school laws. Ohio educational monthly, 59: 335-41, 

July 1910. 
Sleed, Andrew. Compulsory education. In Southern educational association. 

Journal of proceedings and addresses, 1904. p. 78-94. 
Also in Southern educational review, 2: 376-93, October 1905. 

Smith, D. V. H. In a truant school. Living age, 272: 420-24, February 17, 1912. 

Snedden, David. Compulsory attendance. In A cyclopedia of education, ed. by 
Paul Monroe, vol. 1. New York, the Macmillan company, 1911. p. 285-95. 
References: p. 295. 

Sullivan, James D. Compulsory school attendance. Li New York (State) Educa- 
tion dept. 9th annual report, 1912. Albany, N. Y., 1913. p. 291-300. 

Texas. University. Department of extension. Public discussion and information 
division. Compulsory education and child labor (bibliography) Austin, Texas, 
University of Texas (1910) 11 p. 8°. (Bulletin of the University of Texas 
. . . Extension ser.) 

United States. Bureau of education. Compulsory attendance laws in the United 
States. In Report of the Commissioner for the year 1888-89. vol. 1. Wash- 
ington, Government printing office, 1891. p. 470-531. 

Compulsory education and child labor laws. In Report of the Com- 
missioner for the year 1910. Washington, Government printing office, 1910. 
p. 148-53. 

Truant schools. In Report of the Commissioner for the year 1899-1900. 



vol. 1. Washington, Government printing office, 1901. p. 85-211. 
Webster, William Clarence. Compulsory education. In his Recent centralizing 
tendencies in State educational administration. New York, Columbia uni- 
versity, 1897. p. 174-90 (Columbia university. Studies in history, economics 
and public law. v. 8, no. 2) 
States with laws and dates of passage, p. 35. 



INDEX. 

Absentees, reporting, 18-19. 

Age, compulsory attendance laws, 23; statistifs, 28-39. 

Anthony, J. W., on attendance officers, 22; on school census of Pennsylvania, 14, 

Arizona, compulsory attendance law, 10. 

Arkansas, compulsory attendance law, 10. 

Attendance, annual period, 23-24. 

Ayres, L. P., on school census of the United States, 14, 

Baden, continuation schools, compulsory attendance, 87. 

Balkan States, compulsory attendance laws, 89. 

Bavaria, continuation schools, compulsory attendance, 87. 

Bibliography, 131-134. « 

Bodine, W. I., on truancy in Chicago, 19. 

Buffalo, N. Y., school census, 13. 

California, compulsory attendance law, 10; truancy, 19. 

Census, school. See School census. 

Certificates, employment, 15-16. ASeeaZso Child labor, statistics 

Chicago, truancy, 19. 

Child labor, statistics, 56-77. 

Child labor laws, 24; Massachusetts, 121-130; Ohio, 111-120; Prussia, 97; social aspect, 
16-17; Southern States, 106-107. 

Children, employment certificates; 15-16; proportion 6 to 14 years of age attending 
school, 25. 

Claxton, P. P., letter of transmittal, 5. 

Colorado, compulsory attendance law, 10. 

Columbus, Ohio, effect of irregular attendance on promotion, 18. 

Compulsory attendance, foreign countries, history and statistics, 87-93; United States, 
statistics, 28-39, 40-55. 

Connecticut, compulsory attendance law, 10; truancy, 20. 

Continuation schools (compulsory attendance), Germany, 87; Ontario, Canada, 87; 
Scotland, 87; Switzerland, 83. 

Dakota, compulsory attendance law, 10. 

Deffenbaugh, W. S., compulsory attendance laws in the United States, 7-77. 

Delaware, compulsory attendance law, 10. 

Denmark, compulsory attendance law, 85. 

District of Columbia, compulsory education law, 7, 10. 

Draper, A. S., on attendance oflacers, 20. 

Elementary schools, population and enrollment, Europe, 85; public, Prussia, statis- 
tics, 94. 

Employment certificates, children, 15-16, 56-77. 

England, compulsory attendance laws, 78-80. 

Enrollment, children of compulsory school age, 17-18; elementary schools, Europe, 85. 

Erdliff, J. D., and report on compulsory education in Missouri, 23. 

Exemptions, statistics, 28-39. 

Finland. See Russia. 

Flexner, Mary, on attendance officers, 21. 

Foreign countries, compulsory attendance, 78-93. 

135 



136 INDEX. 

France, compulsory attendance laws, 81. 

Germany, compulsory education, history and statistics, 94-98; continuation schools, 

compulsory provisions, 87. 
Giddings, F. H., on social aspect of compulsory education and child-labor laws, 16-17. 
Hand, W. H., the need of compulsory education in the South, 99-110. 
Hiser, 3Irs. Dorcas E., and truancy in Indianapolis, Ind., 22. 
Idaho, compulsory attendance law, 10. 
Illinois, compulsory attendance law, 10. 
Illiteracy, as measure of efficiency of a school system, 84-85; European countries, 

85-86; negroes. Southern States, 109; Southern States, 99-105; statistics, German 

Empire, 98. 
Immigrant children, and compulsory education, 14-15. 
Indiana, attendance officers, 20-21; compulsory attendance law, 10. 
Indianapolis, Ind., truancy, 22. 
Iowa, compulsory attendance law, 10. 
Ireland, compulsory attendance laws, 80-81. 
Italy, compulsory attendance laws, 84, 86. 
Japan, compulsory attendance laws, 84. 
Kansas, compulsory attendance law, 10. 

Kentucky, compulsory attendance law, 10; reporting absentees, 18. 
Letter of transmittal, 5. 

Louisiana, compulsory attendance law, 10, 12. 
Lovejoy, 0. B., on child-labor laws, 24. 
Maine, compulsory attendance law, 10. 
Maryland, compulsory attendance law, 10. 
Massachusetts, attendance officers, 22; compulsory attendance law, 10; compulsory 

education and child-labor ^aws, 121-130; compulsory education laws, history, 7-9; 

school census, 13. 
Maxwell, W. H., on children with employment certificates, 15-16. 
Michigan, compulsory attendance law, 10. 
Minnesota, compulsory attendance law, 10. 
Missouri, compulsory attendance law, 10, 20. 
Montana, compulsory attendance law, 10. 
Nebraska, compulsory attendance law, 10. 

Negroes, compulsory attendance, 108-109; number attending school, 25. 
Netherlands, compulsory attendance laws, 84, 86-87. 
Nevada, compulsory attendance law, 10. 
New Hampshire, compulsory attendance law, 10. 
New Jersey, compulsory attendance law, 10. 
New Mexico, compulsory attendance law, 10. 
New Orleans, compulsory attendance, 12. 

New York, compulsory attendance law, 10; school census, 13-14. 
New York City, children with employment certificates, 15; highest rate of promotion, 

17; school census, 13; truancy, 19-20. 
North Carolina, compulsory attendance law, 10. 

Northrop, B. G., on compulsory education law of Connecticut, 10-11. 
Officers, attendance, 20-22, 40-55. 
Ohio, compulsory attendance law, 10; compulsory education and child-labor laws, 

111-120. 
Oklahoma, compulsory attendance and problem of poverty, 16; compulsory attend- 
ance law, 10. 
Ontario, continuation schools, compulsory attendance, 87. 
■ Oregon, compulsory attendance law, 10. 
Parental schools, statistics, 40-55. 



INDEX. 137 

Penalties, compulsory attendance laws, 23, 40-55. 

Pennsylvania, compulsory attendance law, 10; school census, 14. 

Period required, statistics, 28-39. 

Perrin, J. W., on compulsory education laws, 11-12. 

Philbrick, J. D., on needs of school census, 12-13. 

Pittsburgh, attendance officers, 22. 

Population, Em'opean countries, 85. 

Poverty, compulsory attendance and problem of, 16-17. 

Private schools, children transferring to and from, 15-16. 

Promotion, effect of irregular attendance, Columbus, Ohio, 18; New York City, high- 
est rate, 17. 

Prussia, public elementary schools, statistics, 94. 

Raleigh, N. C, compulsory attendance, 12. 

Recruits, preparatory courses, Switzerland, 83. 

Rhode Island, compulsory attendance law, 10. 

Richman, Julia, on immigrant children, 14-15. 

Rochester, N. Y., school census, 13. 

Roumania, compulsory attendance laws, 86. 

Russia, compulsory attendance laws, 88-89. 

Ryan, W. C, jr., Compulsory education in Germany, 94-98. 

St. Louis, truancy, 19. 

Saxony, continuation schools, compulsory attendance, 87. 

Scandinavian countries, compulsory attendance laws, 83-84. 

School attendance (1901-11), statistics, 26. 

School census, necessary factor to secure enrollment of pupils, 12-14. 

School year, average effective, 17. 

Scotland, compulsory attendance laws, 80; continuation schools, compulsory attend- 
ance, 87. 

Smith, Anna T., Compulsory attendance in foreign countries, 78-93. 

South America, compulsory attendance laws, 90. 

Southern States, and child labor, 106-107; illiteracy, 109; need of compulsory edu- 
cation, 99-110; truancy, 107. 

Sullivan, J. D., on school census, 13. 

Switzerland, continuation schools, 83; preparatory courses for recruits, 83. 

Tennessee, compulsory attendance law, 10. 

Truancy, 19-20; Southern States, 107. See also Officers, attendance. 

Turkey, compulsory attendance laws, 89-90. 

United States, compulsory attendance laws, 7-77; date of enactment of compulsory 
attendance laws, 10; opposition to compulsory education laws, 10-12. 

Utah, compulsory attendance law, 10. 

Vermont, compulsory attendance law, 10. 

Virginia, compulsory attendance law, 10. 

Washington, compulsory attendance law, 10. 

West Virginia, compulsory attendance law, 10. 

Wisconsin, compulsory attendance law, 10. 

Wurttemberg, continuation schools, compulsory attendance, 87. 

Wyoming, compulsory attendance law, 10. 



BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF EDUCATION. 

[Note. — With the exceptions indicated, the documents named below -will be sent free of charge upon 
application to the Commissioner of Education, WasMngton, D. C. Those marked with an asterisk (*) 
are no longer available for free distribution, but may be had of the Superiatendent of Documents, Govern- 
ment Prlntiag Office, Washington, D. C, upon payment of the price stated. Remittances should be made 
in coin, currency, or money order. Stamps are not accepted. Documents marked with a' dagger (t) are 
out of print.] 

1906. 

fNo. 1. Education bUl of 1906 for EnglandandWalesasitpassed the House ofCommons. AnnaT. Smith. 
*No. 2. Grerman views of American education, with particular reference to industrial development. 

WiUiam N. Hailmarm. 10 cts. 
*No. 3. State school systems: Legislation and judicial decisions relating to public education, Oct. 1, 1904> 

to Oct. 1, 1906. Edward C. Elliott. 15 cts. 

1907. 

tNo. 1. The continuation school in the United States. Arthm- J. Jones. 

*No. 2. Agricultural education, including nature study and school gardens. James R. Jewell. 15 cts. 

tNo. 3. The auxiliary schools of Germany. Six lectures by B. Maennel. 

tNo. 4. The elimiaation of pupUs from school. Edward L. Thomdike. 

1908. 

tNo. 1. On the training of persons to teach agriculture in the public schools. Liberty H. Bailey. 

*No. 2. List of publications of the United States Bm-eau of Education, 1867-1907. 10 els. 

*No. 3. BibUography of education for 1907. James Ingersoll Wyer, jr., and Martha L. Phelps. 10 cts. 

tNo. 4. Music education iu the United States schools and departments of music. Arthur L. Manchester. 

*No 5. Education in Formosa. Julean H. Arnold. 10 cts. 

*No. 6. The apprenticeship system in its relation to industrial education. Carroll D. Wright. 15 cts. 

*No. 7. State school systems: II. Legislation and judicial decisions relating to public education, Oct. 1, 

1906, to Oct. 1, 1908. Edward C. Elliott. 30 cts. 
No. 8. Statistics of State imiversities and other institutions of higher education partially supported Ijy the 

State. 1907-8. 

1909. 

No. 1. Facilities for study and research in the offices of the United States Government in Washington. 

Arthur T. Hadley. 
No. 2. Admission of Chinese students to American colleges. John Fryer. 
*No. 3. Daily meals of school children. Caroline L. Hunt. ID cts. 

tNo. 4. The teaching staff of secondary schools in the United States; amount of education, length of expe- 
rience, salaries. Edward L. Thorndike. 
No. 5. Statistics of pubUc, society, and school libraries in 1908. 
*No. 6. Instruction in the Une and manual arts in the United States. A statistical monograph. Henry 

T. Bailey. 15 cts. 
No. 7. Index to the Reports of the Commissioner of Education, 1867-1907. 
*No. 8. A teacher's professional library. Classified list of 100 titles. 5 cts. 
No. 9. BibUography of education for 1908-9. 

No. 10. Education for efficiency in railroad service. J. Shirley Eaton. 

*No. 11. Statistics of State universities and other institutions of higher education p;u-tially supported by 
the State. 1908-9. 5 cts. 

1910. 

No. 1. The movement for reform in the teaching of religion in the pul)lic schools of Saxony. Arley B. 

Show. 
No. 2. State school systems: III. Legislation and judicial decisions relating to public education, Oct. 1, 

1908, to Oct. 1, 1909. Edward C. ElUott. 
tNo. 3. List of publications of the United Stales Bureau of Education, 1867-1910. 
No. 4. The biological stations of Europe. Charles A. Kofoid. 
No. 5. American SchooLhouscs. Fletcher B. Dresslar. 

tNo. 6. Statistics of State imiversities and other institutions of higher education partially supported by 
the State, 1909-10. 

I 



II BULLETIIsr OF THE BUREAU OF EDUCATION". 

1911. 

*]Sro. 1. Bibliography of science teaching. 5 cts. 

No. 2. Opportunities for graduate study in agriculture in the United States. A. C. Monahan. 
*No. 3. Agencies for the improvement of teachers in service. William C. Ruediger. 15 cts. 
*No. 4. Report of the commission appointed to study the system of education in the public schools of 

Baltimore. 10 cts. 
*No. 5. Age and grade census of schools and colleges. George D. Strayer. 10 cts. 
No. 6. Graduate work in mathematics in universities and in other institutions of like grade in the United 

States. 
*No. 7. Undergraduate work in mathematics in colleges and universities. 5 cts. 
*No. 8. Examinations in mathematics, other than those set by the teacher for his own classes. 5 cts. 
No. 9. Mathematics in the teclinological schools of collegiate grade in the United States. 
fNo. 10. Bibliogi-aphy of education for 1909-10. 
fNo. 11. Bibliography of child study for the years 1908-9. 
*No. 12." Training of teachers of elementary and secondary mathematics. 5 cts. 
*No. 13. Mathematics in the elementary schools of the United States. 15 cts. 
*No. 14. Provision for exceptional children In the public schools. J. H. Van Sickle, Lightner Witmer, 

and Leonard P. Ayres. 10 cts. 
*No. 15. Educational system of China as recently reconstructed. Harry E. King. 15 cts. 
No. 16. Mathematics in the public and private secondaiy schools of the United States. 
tNo. 17. List of publications of the United States Bureau of Education, October, 1911. 
*No. 18. Teachers' certificates issued under general State laws and regulations. Harlan Updegraff. 20 cts. 
No. 19. Statistics of State universities and other institutions of higher education partially supported by 
the State. 1910-11. 

1913. 

*No. 1. A course of study for the preparation of rural-school teachers. Fred Mutchler and W. J. Craig. 5 cts. 
*No. 2. Mathematics at West Point and Annapolis. 5 cts. 

No. 3. Report of committee on uniform records and reports. 

No. 4. Mathematics in technical secondary schools in the United States. 
*No. 5. A study of expenses of city school systems. Harlan Updegraff. 10 Qts. 
*No. 6. Agricultural education in secondary schools. 10 cts. 

No. 7. Educational status of nursing. M. Adelaide Nutting. 
fNo. 8. Peace day. Fannie Fern Andrews. [Later publication, 1913, No. 12.] 

No. 9. Country schools for city boys. William S. Myers. 
*No. 10. Biljliography of education in agriculture and home economics. 10 cts. 
•j-No. 11. CmTent educational topics, No. I. 

fNo. 12. Dutch schools of New Netherland and colonial New York. WUliam H. KDpatriek. 
*No. 13. Influences tending to improve the work of the teacher of mathematics. 5 cts. 
*No. 14. Report of the American commissioners of the international commission on the teaching of mathe- 
matics. 10 cts. 
fNo. 15. CmTent educational topics, No. II. 

*No. 16. The j-eorganized school playground. Henry S. Curtis. Sets. 
*No. 17. The Montessori system of education. Anna T.Smith. Sets. 

*No. 18. Teaching language through agriculture and domestic science. M. A. Leiper. 5 cts. 
*No. 19. Professional distribution of college and university graduates. Bailey B. Burritt. 10 cts. 
*No. 20. Readjustment of a rural high school to the needs of the community. H. A. Brown. 10 cts. 
*No. 21. Urban and rural common-school statistics. Harlan Updegraff and William R. Hood. Sets. 

No. 22. Public and private high schools. 

No. 23. Special collections in libraries in the United States. W. Dawson Johnston and Isadore G. Mudge. 

No. 24. Current educational topics. No. III. 

fNo. 25. List of publications of the United States Bureau of Education, 1912. 
fNo. 26. Bibliography of child study for the years 1910-11. 

No. 27. History of public-school education in Arkansas. Stephen B. Weeks. 
*No. 28. Cultivating school grounds in AVake County, N. C. Zebulon Judd. 5 cts. 

*No. 29. Bibliography of the teaching of mathematics, 1900-1912. David Eugene Smith and Charles 
Goldziher. 10 cts. 

No. 30. Latin-American universities and special schools. Edgar E. Brandon. 

No. 31. Educational directory, 1912. 

No. 32. Bibliography of exceptional children and their education. Arthur MacDonald. 
fNo. 33. Statistics of State universities and other institutions of higher education partially supported by 
the State. 1912. 

1913. 

No. 1. Monthly record of cm'rent educational publications, January, 1913. 
*No. 2. Training courses for rural teachers. A. C. Monahan and R. H. Wright. 5 cts. 
*No. 3. The teaching of modern languages in the United States. Charles H. Handschin. 15 cts. 
*No. 4. Present standards of higher education in the United States. George E. MacLean. 20 cts. 



BULLETIN OP THE BUEEAU OP EDUCATION. IH 

No. 5. Monthly record of ciuTent educational publications. February, 1913. 
*No. 6. Agricultural instruction in high schools. 0. H. Robison and F. B. Jenks. 10 cts. 
*No. 7. College entrance requirements. Clarence D. Kingsley. 15 cts. 
*No. 8. The status ofrural education in the United States. A. C. Monahan. 15 cts. 

No. 9. Consular reports on continuation schools in Prussia. 

No. 10. Monthly record of current educational publications, March, 1913. 

No. 11. Monthly record of current educational publications, April, 1913. 
*No. 12. The promotion of peace. Fannie Fern Andrews. 10 cts. 

*No. 13. Standards and tests for measuring the efficiency of schools or systems of schools. Report of the 
committee of the National Council of Education, George D. Strayer, chairman. 5 cts. 

No. 14. Agriculttiral instruction in secondary schools. 

*No. 15. Monthly record of cm'rent educational publications. May, 1913. 5 cts. 
*No. 16. Bibliography of medical inspection and health supervision. 15 cts. 

No. 17. A trade school for girls. A preliminary investigation in a typical manufacturing city, Worcester, 

Mass. 
*No. 18. The fifteenth international congress on hygiene and demography. Fletcher B. Dresslar. 10 cts. 
*No. 19. German industrial education and its lessons for the United States. Holmes Beckwith. IS cts. 

No. 20. Illiteracy in the United States. 
tNo. 21. Monthly record of current educational publications, June, 1913. 

No. 22. Bibliography of industrial, vocational, and trade education. 
*No, 23. The Georgia Club at the State Normal School, Athens, Ga., for the study of rural sociology. 

E.C.Branson. 10 cts. 
*No. 24. A comparison of public education in Germany and in the United States. Georg Kerschensteiner. 

5 cts. 
*No. 25. Industrial education in Columbus, Ga. Roland B. Daniel. 5 cts. 
*No. 26. Good roads arbor day. Susan B.Sipe. lOcJs. 
*No. 27. Prison schools. A.C.Hill. 10 cts. 

No. 28. Expressions on education by American statesmen and publicists. 

No. 29. Accredited secondary schools in the United States. Kendric C. Babcock. 
*No. 30. Education in the South. 10 cts. 
*No. 31. Special features in city school systems. 10 cts. ' 

No. 32. Educational survey of Montgomery County, Md. 
fNo. 33. Monthly record of current educational publications, September, 1913. 

No. 34. Pension systems in Great Britain. Raymond W. Sies. 
*No. 35. A list of books suited to a high-school library. 15 cts. 

No. 36. Report on the work of the Bureau of Education for the natives of Alaska, 1911-12. 

No. 37. Monthly record of current educational publications, October, 1913. 

No. 38. Economy of time in education. 

No. 39. Elementary industrial school of Cleveland, Ohio. W. N. Hailmann. 
*No. 40. The reorganized school playground. Henry S. Curtis. 10 cts. 

No. 41. The reorganization of secondary education. 
*No. 42. An experimental rural school at Winthrop College. H.S.Browne. 10 cts. 
*No. 43. Agriculture and rural-life day, material for its observance. Eugene C. Braoks. 10 cts. 
*No. 44. Organized health work in schools. E. B. Hoag. 10 cts. 

No. 45. Monthly record of current educational publications, November, 1913. 

No. 46. Educational directory, 1913. 

No. 47. Teaching material in Government publications. F. K. Noyes. 

No. 48. School hygiene. W. Carson Ryan, jr. 

No. 49. The Farragut School, a Tennessee country-life high school. A. C. Monahan and Adams Phillips. 

No. 50. The Fitchburg plan of cooperative industrial education. M, R . McCann. 

No. 51. Education of the immigrant. 

No. 52. Sanitary schoolhouses. Legal requirements in Indiana and Ohio. 

No. 53. Monthly record of current educational publications, December, 1913. 

No. 54. Consular reports on industrial education in Germany. 

No. 55. Legislation and judicial decisions relating to education, October 1, 1909, to October 1, 1912, 
James C. Boykin and AVUliam R. Hood. 

No. 56. Some suggestive features of the Swiss school system. William Knox Tate. 

No. 57. Elementary education in England, with special reference to London, Liverpool, and Manchester. 
I. L. Kandel. 

No. 58. Educational system ofrural Denmark. Harold W. Foght. 

No. 59. Bibliography of education for 1910-11. 

No. 60. Statistics of State universities and other institutions of higher education partially supported 
by the State, 1912-13. 

1914. 

No. 1. Monthly record of current educational publications, January, 1914. 
No. 2. Compulsory school attendance. 

o 



BJe'U 



■^ 



